Chapter 38

Starfire looked at Robin nervously. The last thing she wanted was to have this discussion in front of an audience. She breathed a sigh of relief when she felt that Robin understood not only that she had to leave, but also that this wasn't the time or place to discuss it with her.

"It's okay, Star, I should have realized as much."

Starfire nodded her thanks to him, then turned back to Blackfire, "So, Sister, have you made your choice?"

"You're enjoying toying with me, aren't you, sister?"

"I am not doing the toying with you, shalama. As Grand Ruler, I could arrange a marriage for you to renew several treaties. Instead I give you this choice."

"She is not like you, Blackfire. She doesn't hold a grudge."

"You know my answer, Empress. If, since he has learned what I have done, he still will have me, I will marry Kor'mel.

"I am glad to hear that Komand'r," Kor'mel said from the entrance to the cell.

"As am I, sister," Starfire said giving her a hug, then removing the control collar.

"Tomorrow after planet dawn, as agreed?"

"Yes Kor'mel, she will be ready. May we have a moment alone?" Robin and Kor'mel left the room, leaving the two sisters alone, and they sat on the edge of the bed. "Congratulations, sister, he is most handsome."

For the first time since Robin and Starfire had entered the cell, Blackfire smiled. "You didn't do so bad your self Kora. I want to thank you for this, Starfire. With all I have done, I shouldn't be seeing the outside of Nekwar Prison ever again." She saw her sister's shudder at the mention of the maximum security prison on the ice covered planet of Serac. "I don't think he would accept it from me, but thank your bond mate for me."

"I will give him your thanks, but for what?"

"Starfire, he loves you so much he put his own personal feelings aside to have my execution set aside. I also know he had a talk with Kor'mel the day you were injured."

There was an awkward silence for a moment, "Sister."

"Starfire," Blackfire said at the same time, and they both laughed nervously.

"Sister, I wish to apologize to you."

Blackfire's astonishment was written all over her face. "You want to apologize to me?"

"Yes. I should have seen how our parents were treating you, and. . . . "

"And what? Changed father's mind?" Blackfire put a hand on her sister's shoulder, "You know, as well as I do, that once he made up his mind about something there was no changing it."

Starfire thought that over for a moment, then nodded her agreement. "Yes I remember. That decisiveness was a good quality in a Grand Ruler, but no so much in a father."

"The chosen one has something to say against the great Myand'r?"

"You may have envied my chosen status as you call it, but in all honesty I would have traded places with you. Father, despite what you may think, did not take any failing very well, and my not learning personal combat skills at the rate he thought I should have brought out his anger at times. At first it wasn't so bad, but after the Trials I lost the one person I could talk to." Starfire nervously looked down at her hands in her lap. "Sister, I have very much missed our talks."

Starfire was pleasantly surprised when her sister put her arm around her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. "I take it Robin doesn't like me."

"It is not that he does not like you, Sister, he does not trust you, and believes that you are a threat to me."

"And you trust me?"

Starfire gazed into her sister's violet eyes. "Up to a point, yes I do. Sister, you yourself have told both Robin and myself that you never wanted me to be injured. Yes, you would do anything else to take the throne, but I trust that you know that you will not have that opportunity again."

"Well spoken, little sister." Blackfire got up and walked a few steps away. "That is the one quality you possess naturally that I find almost impossible, diplomacy. That's why I failed the Trials. No fault of yours." She turned and looked at Starfire. "Kora, there are those who say that I hate you, Robin probably first among them, but they're wrong. You're my sister, my family."

"So your having me taken by the Gordanians, attempting to have me take your place in the Centauri prison, and trying to marry me off to gurgle. . .girdle. . . .that green blob, were all done out of love?"

Blackfire smiled softly, "And I've been told that you didn't know what sarcasm is," she chuckled. "No Kora, they weren't done out of love but out of spite, and jealously. I am the eldest, the throne should be mine, or so I thought for so long now."

Starfire watched as her sister walked back over to her, and reached out to cup her cheek, and she saw the flash of pain in her eyes when she flinched slightly just before her fingers made contact "Starfire, that day on Tamaran you were wrong. You are best for Tamaran. Far better than I was and would be. I'm only sorry that it took so long, and your nearly getting killed to make me realize it." She reached down and gently pulled on Starfires shoulders so she would stand up, then hugged her tightly. "Knowing affairs of State like I do, I'd say that you haven't had much time alone with Robin, so go. Spend some time with him."

Starfire pulled back from the embrace, smiling warmly at her sister. "Yes we will have some time to do the catching up while I am on Tamaran."

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A short time later, Starfire and Robin were sitting in the observation lounge watching the sun slip behind the Earth.

"You have been most quiet since we left Blackfire's cell, my husband. Do not try to tell me that nothing is bothering you."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Star, and I shouldn't have to tell you what's bothering me, even without our bond."

"I know you do not wish me to go, and I can feel that you also know that I do not wish to be separated from you. But it is something that I must do. The division among my people is most strongly felt among our warriors, but it also exists in our civilian class as well. I can not give up the throne, nor can I rule from Earth." She put her arm around his shoulders, and softly traced her fingers over his cheek. "I also know that I can not ask you to leave the Titans and join me, as they need you in much the same manner that Tamaran needs me. I only wish I could tell you how long it will be before I can return."

In spite of himself Robin smiled softly as Starfire lay her head on his shoulder. "So I take it you and Blackfire have cleared things up?"

Robin could feel the annoyance in the sigh she gave. "Robin, if you can not talk about her nicely, I would rather that you not talk about her at all."

"Star, I think I may have been wrong about her before," he said, then continued when Star raised her head and looked at him. "Seeing her reaction when you were stabbed, and her actions in your healing room don't fit with the hateful person I believed her to be. I think she was jealous of you and your position as Crown Princess. When Brend'r attacked you it made Blackfire absolutely furious. Star, she came very close to killing Brend'r, then passively surrendered to Mik'l and Shel'b."

"One of the few of my people that I thought I could trust, and if not for your quick reflexes and aim, she would have killed me thinking that was my sister's wish."

Robin watched as Starfire stood up and stretched, then turned and pressed a button on the armrest that had been between their seats. Silently it and two others retracted into the floor, leaving a bench. As he watched Starfire didn't sit beside him but lay down on the bench on her back, placing her head in his lap and looked up at him with a contented smile.

"Comfortable?"

"X'Hal, yes. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it is laying on your stomach for three days?"

"It's been a while, and more like a whole week, but yeah."

Starfire giggled slightly as she shared the memory of when Robin had been younger and an accident on the trapeze had slashed his back. "Even back then, you did not like doctors."

Robin hummed his agreement then slid his right hand down so his fingers were just above her neckpiece below her right ear. After a moment the contented sound that came from her, made him think of Catwoman.

"Who is this Salina Kyle?" Starfire asked drowsily, as Robin's fingers continued to massage the tenseness out of her neck.

"Are we jealous, Kori?" Robin teased. "Actually, she's a criminal in Gotham that Bruce and I fought. She took the term cat burglar to the extreme. She thought she was actually part, if not mostly, cat."

With a contented sigh Starfire rolled over onto her right side, giving Robin the not so subtle hint to give the left side of her neck the benefit of his massage. "You shall have to introduce me to Bruce when I return from Tamaran, and Alfred as well."

Robin's fingers froze for a moment at the unpleasant reminder, then resumed working the tension out of her neck. "You'll love Alfred, and he'll be quite taken with you. Bruce, on the other hand, will say you're very attractive and very nice, then lecture me about letting my feelings get involved with our professional relationship the first time he gets me alone," he paused for a moment, expecting some response from her on how he was to harsh on Bruce, but was met with only silence. "Star?" he called softly, then smiled when he heard her gentle snore. "Pleasant dreams, my beautiful sleeping princess."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"Now isn't this cozy?" Robin heard Cyborg's voice say, snapping him awake. When he opened his eyes he found that Starfire and himself were in the same position on the bench.

"Quiet, Cy," he said softly, hoping to not disturb Starfire He knew it was a lost cause a moment later.

"Dude, don't you guys ever sleep?"

"Friend Beast Boy, what are you dong in my room?" Starfire asked groggily as she woke up.

"Cause you're not in your room, Star." Robin said softly, brushing the back of his hand over her cheek. "What are you guys dong here so early?" he asked as Starfire yawned hugely then sat up and stretched.

"Kim'r sent us," Cyborg replied. "It's almost sunrise and she wants to know when you're releasing Blackfire to go to the TAMAR."

"I guess we'd better go and get her."

Starfire nodded at Robin's suggestion and they stood up and started for the door. "Robin, something is wrong," she said a short time later when they reached the security section. "Where are the guards?"

"Kim'r, this is Robin, there are no guards in sight on the cell block."

"Understood, Highness, there have also been two unauthorized shuttle launches about ten minutes ago. I have a squad of warriors on their way to secure the cell block."

"They will not be in time for you." Robin and Starfire turned at the sound of the voice behind them, and saw three warriors facing them, swords drawn. "Did you really think that we would let you hold the Princess while you usurp her throne?"

'Staffs, my husband, I do not want the possibility of any of them getting injured," Starfire sent through their bond as she reached to the small of her back removing the staff she had Robin give her. Collapsed, it was small enough to avoid detection, and when extended her people thought of them as a solely defensive weapon. Fortunately, Robin had taught her better.

"This is no challenge, ruthasha. We will not disadvantage ourselves. . . ." on of the warriors began, but cut off as he defended himself from Robin's attack, which came so unexpectedly that Robin managed to land several blows before his opponent brought his own weapon into play.

"Rraah!" Star shouted as she hit one of the other two with a star bolt slamming him into the wall, stopping him from going to the aid of the one Robin was fighting.

"Star! Behind. . . .you." Robin said, but trailed off as the third warrior who had managed to slip behind Starfire suddenly cooled his star bolts as his face transformed from a look of triumph to one of surprise and pain as he sank to the deck, revealing Kor'mel with a small club in his hand.

Seeing he was out numbered, the remaining warrior dropped his sword and surrendered. "Vidi'an Komand'r has been freed, you will not dishonor her by the marriage."

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off by Kim'r and a dozen warriors running down the corridor. "Thanks for the help."

"My pleasure, Robin. I overheard some interesting radio traffic between the VELANCE'R and two shuttles, and decided to see if Komand'r was going to be delayed."

"I have an explanation about those shuttles," Kim'r said as she came up after making sure the prisoners were back in their cells. Komand'r is not here, and where ever she is, she did not go willingly. The control collar and it's remote are both missing.

"Kim'r, contact the hanger bay and launch control. I want two VALNOR class fighters, prepared and ready to launch by the time Robin and I get there."

"As you wish, my Lady. Deen'a!"

"Yes, Commander!"

"You are in charge here. Assist any guards that need it and review the video. I want to know what happened here."

"As you order, Commander."

Returning Deen'a's salute, Kim'r turned to Robin and Starfire. "Let us go."

"Kim'r, your place. . . . "

"Is protecting you, Empress. As Commander of the Palace Guard your safety is my prime concern and my duty to ensure."

A few minutes later, Robin, Starfire, Kim'r, and Kor'mel arrived in the hanger bay and saw that the ships Kim'r had ordered were ready and waiting for them.

"Commander, the bridge just called and said that the shuttles had changed their course and are now heading for the DUVORT class ship.

Robin and the two women looked at Kor'mel as he said something in his own language. "My apologies, ladies, Robin. The DOUVORT class ship that I purchased from the Gordianians is commanded by my cousin, Sal'don."

Robin looked over at Starfire when she gasped at the sound of the name. "Kor'mel, if what you told me in my garden is true, I fear for my sister's well being."

"I have evidence that he is behind the unrest that has been occurring among my people," Kor'mel told Robin and Kim'r.

"Due respect, my Lady, but Komand'r may be returning to her home camp."

"I do not believe that, Commander. Do you, my husband?"

"No, I don't. Kim'r, if Blackfire was going to be among her friends, why the control collar?"

"I'm glad to see that someone else shares my confidence that Komand'r has changed."

"Sorry, Kor'mel, but I don't. It's just that the evidence is that she wasn't a willing part of the group."

Just then, Kim'r's communicator beeped, and she answered it and had a brief conversation before replacing it on her belt. "We have something more to consider. Teranc'r and Shan'a are unaccounted for."

The four quickly boarded their ships and finished getting them ready for launch. Robin was strapped into the pilot seat of the fighter he had been given, running through the litany of actions he had to complete before launching. "Main engines, running. Communications online, weapons system and targeting systems off." Settling the headset on his head, he keyed his communications system.. "This is Robin, ready for launch," he reported, and heard the others check in as well.

"Jemidar, you will take the lead position, as it's your fleet we are approaching."

"Understood, Commander. Robin, watch your speed, you are pulling ahead, and pulling Koriand'r with you."

"Sorry."

"VANYAR, this is Jemidar Kor'mel leading a flight of four ships. You will power down your weapons and open your landing bays at once."

"Jemidar, I will obey at. .urkk . . ." A voice replied, but cut off with a wet choking sound. A second later another voice spoke. "We do not recognize your title, Kor'mel. We follow the rightful Dynast, Sal'don."

"Then you will follow him to your death"

There was a soft chuckle over the speakers in their ships. "With four one man fighters, you expect to frighten us into submission?"

"No, but if you check your scanners you will see what I do intend to coerce you with."

"Captain! The TAMAR, BELARE, AND VENAR, have targeted us with their main guns!" a third voice shouted from the background.

"You are bluffing, we have your betrothed aboard and will not risk her life."

'Star, stay silent, no matter what Kor'mel says. Trust me,' Robin told her through their bond.

"She is not my wife yet, and there will be others. I will not have my rule disrupted like this. TAMAR, fire a level six charge from post side aft turret." A bright red beam cut through the space between the TAMAR and the VANYAR, narrowly missing the dreadnought. "The next shot will be level ten and will not miss. Captain I grow weary of this, what is your answer?"

"Jemidar, several escape pods have launched."

"Thank you, Kim'r. VENAR, collect those pods and take the occupants into custody."

"As you command, Jemidar."

"Jemidar, this is First Lieutenant Lee'van. As the senior office on the bridge I have taken command of the VANYAR, until properly relieved by your chosen replacement."

"Where is Captain Cha'nar, or Commander Wes'son?"

"Jemidar, it is my sad duty to report that Commander Wes'son has killed Captain Cha'nar. He was the one that you spoke to. Our weapons systems have powered down and all landing bays are now open and available for your use. Do you require or request an escort?"

"Only if you know of someone who knows where Princess Komand'r was taken."

"I will await you in the landing bay, Jemidar. There is a First Lieutenant I can trust here to act as my first officer."

A few minutes later Robin and the others landed in the VANYAR's landing bay. "No friends, keep your weapons, we may have need of them," Kor'mel told Robin, Starfire, and Kim'r as they started to unbuckle their sword belts. The four of them followed the junior officer through the ship, until they reached a large double door.

"They are sealed, Jemidar, and can not be opened," Lee'van informed them.

"Step back," Robin said and everyone moved behind him. Kor'mel watched Robin closely but still missed seeing him draw his birdarang. He saw the quick flick of his wrist and watched the weapon whirl through the air and embed itself in the seam between the two doors where the locking mechanism was. It beeped a few times then exploded, leaving the doors about six inches apart.

"Kora, Robin! Help!"

"Sister!" Starfire cried as she flew to the doors. Groaning with the strain she pried the doors open. "Aaarrraaaaggghh!" she shouted as the doors opened completely with a tortured shriek. The room was fairly large, and there were two columns about ten feet behind where a chair stood almost in the center of the room. It was there that there was movement.

"Relax, Princess, in a moment you won't have anything to worry about." A dark haired man said as he moved over to where Blackfire was strapped to a chair.

Starfire gasped when she saw what the man had in his hand. "Noooo!" she wailed when she saw the amount of veka serum in the hypodermic. "Do not do that to her!"

"Launch that bolt, Empress, and she gets the whole dose and remains powerless for the rest of her life," the man warned. "Good girl," he added when Starfire cooled her hands. Her eyes however, continued to glow due to her anger. "I'll allow you your anger at the position I have you in. Who would have thought that a simple message to your sister here would have resulted in her submitting herself to a control collar. All it said was that if she didn't, you wouldn't live to see the dawn."

"Kora, they've planted a bomb in your room," Blackfire said, trying not to move her jaw to much as she felt the prick of the needle against her skin.

"Sal'don, release her. Your dispute is with me, not with the Royal Family of Tamaran."

"Sorry, cousin, but. . ." he began, but cut off as a birdarang shattered the hypodermic and slashed across the back of his hand, another slammed into the control collar, shattering the locking device and it fell from Blackfire's neck.

"He said release her," Robin growled as he caught the two birdarangs when they returned.

"Ah the Earthling troq," Sal'don said. "You are as good as I've heard, don't you agree, Commanders?"

Robin heard Kim'r almost growl when Shan'a and Teranc'r came out from behind the columns. "Actually no, Jemidar," Teranc'r said, slowly drawing his sword. "He has yet to face me without restrictions. That is about to change." His eyes narrowed as Robin drew his sword. "A rexano, ruthasha? Mine that you stole from me?"

"No. The sword I won from you hangs on the wall of my quarters on the flagship. This was presented to me at my Acceptance ceremony. I think it's interesting how you treat your princess, Teranc'r."

Robin knew his comment would anger Teranc'r, he simply underestimated how angry he would get. Learning the lesson the hard way, he grunted as the blue bolt caught him full in the chest, blasting him almost back out the door. Landing in a three point stance and sliding another few feet, he shook his head to clear it, and brought his sword up, knowing that Teranc'r wasn't gong to give him a chance to recover.

He was right.

"Now you see how a real warrior of Tamaran fights," Teranc'r growled as he slashed at Robin with his sword.

Robin managed to keep from getting cut in two by the strong swipes Teranc'r was throwing at him, but only barely, and for the first time he could remember he began to doubt his abilities being up to the task. He quickly threw down a smoke bomb at Teranc'r's feet, hoping to give himself some breathing room, but Teranc'r simply flew up out of the cloud and pelted him with star bolts, the last one slammed him against the wall and he collapsed to his knees.

"Robin!" Starfire cried when Robin went down. She quickly looked and saw that Kim'r was fighting with Shan'a, and Kor'mel and Lee'van were busy with Sal 'don. "Leave. Him. Alone!" she said with cold fury as she placed herself in front of Robin, blocking Teranc'r's advance.

"So the troq suvasha that would play at being Empress thinks she is a warrior," Teranc'r sneered. He lowered his sword, and stepped closer to Starfire. "You are not worth fighting."

Just as he was about to turn his back on her, Starfire quickly lashed out with her sword, cutting a slice on Teranc'r's cheek. "You will not dismiss me so easily!" she hissed.

Lifting his hand to his face, Teranc'r looked at the blood on his fingertips, never taking his eyes off Starfire. His eye beam blast slammed her against the wall, pinning her there as he kept the beam going. The only thing that broke that contact was Robin coming up from the floor, driving his shoulder just under Teranc'r's chest plate. Teranc'r was driven back and the air blasted from his lungs in a whoosh, but he backhanded Robin in the head and he watched as Robin landed a few feet away and lay still.

Teranc'r was just turning back to Starfire when several green star bolts slammed into him driving him back and making his head spin slightly. He lashed out and fired his own bolts, and was shocked to hear Shan'a cry out in pain which was suddenly cut off. He looked over to see that two of his bolts had struck her, and Kim'r finished her off with a stiff right cross.

"Well done, Traitor," Starfire's voice said, and he looked up just in time to see two purple boots filling his vision then the impact of them striking him knocked him to the deck and out cold.

Starfire looked over and saw that Kor'mel had just disarmed Sal'don, and accept his surrender. Seeing that the fighting was over, she crossed over to where Robin was just sitting up, one hand to his head. "Robin, are you alright?"

"I will be, Star," he replied with a groan, then took the hand that she offered him and let her help him to his feet. "Commander," he called to Kim'r, "I regret that I didn't pay attention to you when you told me that I wouldn't be able to stand up to a Tamaranean in unrestricted combat."

"The lesson is best learned from experience than it is from being told," Kim'r chuckled.

Using some low powered star bolts, Starfire broke the bindings that held Blackfire to the chair.

"Well fought, little sister, I couldn't have done better!"

Starfire returned the warm hug that her sister was giving her. "I am most pleased to see that you are uninjured, sister."

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Two weeks later, the Titans were gathered on the roof of the Tower, standing beside a VALNOR class fighter with some other visitors.

"I am not happy that you have broken our bond, Raven, but I do understand why. I shall miss you until I return, shalay'fa."

"Just try not to make that too long," Raven said, returning the hug Starfire was giving her. "May Azar watch over you."

"You take care, girl," Cyborg said as he held his arms open and Starfire hugged him next.

"I will, friend, and you do the same." Starfire looked down when she heard a soft meow from near her feet. "Friend Beast Boy, I must once again resist the face," she said as she scooped the green kitten up and held it, rubbing behind it's ears. She giggled softly when she heard it purr, then let it leap from her arms to the ground where he morphed into human form.

"I'm gonna miss ya, Star." Beast Boy said as he hugged her.

"I will miss you as well, but I will return." She noticed that the others seemed to move back a few feet, and it took her a moment to realize that they were giving Robin and herself some privacy. "I shall miss you most of all," she said softly reaching up and touching Robin's cheek. "Shu vata ne mathad, che turino zela du ne itera."

Robin reached out and brushed the tears from her face, "You are my beloved, the greatest part of my life, as well." he replied, repeating her words back. "Star, I wish you didn't have to go, but I have no right to ask you to stay. You are, by birth, and by passing the trial of the Okarran Warlords, the Empress of Tamaran. I will wait until you return, ne shamata." The two clung to each other, neither wanting the time for them to part to arrive.

"My Lady, the VELANCE'R is waiting our return," Kim'r said softly.

Pulling back from their embrace, Robin and Star slowly stepped back from each other, until even their fingertips lost contact with each other. Without another word, Starfire turned and went up the ramp into the ship.

"Highness, I will ward her life with my own, you have my word on that."

"I know, Kim'r. With you, Mik'l Shar'n and Stev'n watching over her, I don't have any worries of her safety. It's been nice getting to know and work with you, Commander."

Kim'r took the hand that Robin offered and shook it warmly. "I have been honored to meet you, and your friends, Highness."

Robin returned the salute she gave, and watched hr enter the ship and the hatch sealed up. A moment later it had vanished from sight. After a moment he felt Cybog's big hand on one shoulder, then Raven's on the other.

"We will understand if you wish to be alone, Highness."

Robin turned and looked at the newest member of the team. "Unfortunately, we have runs to do on the obstacle course, and call me Robin."

"Understood, High. . .er, Robin."

"It's okay, Shel'b, you'll fit in just right," Cyborg assured her.

"I only wish I knew why the Empress asked me to stay and fill her place as a Titan."