A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: Thanks everyone for all your reviews… Keep'em coming!

Chapter Two: Preparations

Starfire flew straight to her room, nearly knocking down the indigo clad Raven. The young mystic's eyes narrowed as she watched the alien girl disappear into her room and peeled herself off the hallway's wall. Raven adjusted her hood and straightened her cloak. She rolled her eyes, walked quietly toward Star's door, and knocked lightly.

"Go away!"

"Star, it's me, Raven. Open up. I'm supposed to be the morose and sullen one, remember?"

The door slid open just enough for Rae to squeeze through. The alien girl wrapped her arms around best friend and hung her head on Raven's shoulder. Raven stood wide-eyed and patted Star's back lightly.

"Oh, Raven, I have done something horrible," Starfire sobbed. "I did not mean to, and I expect that he should not want to be with me afterwards…"

"Take a breath, Kory," Raven said worming her way out of the hug. "Now, what was so awful?"

Starfire tucked her chin and folded her hands in front of her. Her brilliant green eyes hid under her bangs. "I said something that embarrassed Robin in front of Cyborg and the others," she mumbled.

Raven covered her mouth with her hands, feigning shock, but instead tried to hold in an unsupportive laugh. "I'm sure he'll forgive you, Star. Everyone knows that English isn't your first language."

"Yes," Star said, walking over to her circular bed and sitting on the edge, "but that does not make me feel any better. Oh, how I do hate saying the wrong words or not understanding puns. It makes me sound foolish and naïve."

"And now you're going to tell me that Tamaranish doesn't have puns or word play," Raven said smirking slightly.

Star's lips curled up just a little. "I see your point. I really do not mind be ridiculed because of my misunderstanding of idioms, well not anymore. But…"

"But," Raven continued, "you don't want anyone else's feelings getting hurt."

Starfire nodded.

"Well, I wouldn't call you naïve, inexperienced, but not naïve. And you're far from foolish," the young witch said supportively. "And yeah, Robin's going to take a fair amount of ribbing from those immature pinheads. It's life." Raven then did something she rarely does, she embraced Starfire lightly, supportively and then smiled an it'll-be-okay smile at the alien girl. "Find your center, and you'll be fine."

"Thank you, Raven."

The ashen skinned girl rose and said, "See you at the party," before leaving. The door slid closed behind her, and the witch realized she hadn't gotten a birthday present yet. She rolled her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

"How is she?" a voice said as if disembodied.

Raven nearly jumped out of her skin and turned to see Robin standing against the wall like he was part of it. His wiry arms were folded across his strong chest.

"Robin! You scared me half to death!"

"Sorry, Rae," he said and flashed his disarming grin. The young witch's train of though instantly derailed as she looked up at his face, and she forced herself to glance away.

Raven let out an almost disappointed sigh as she gathered her thoughts. The pale girl retraced the conversation and remembered Robin's question. "Star's upset, and she thinks you're mad at her, but she'll be okay in a few minutes."

The Teen Wonder nodded. "Sounds like she needs some time to herself, then."

"Probably," Raven agreed. She arched an eyebrow and looked up to him. "Robin? What are you and the boys going to do during Star's party?"

"We'll manage. I promised Star that the Tower would be a boy-free zone tonight."

"Oh joy, I can practically smell the testosterone," Raven droned in her rolling rasp.

"Oh yeah and that much concentrated estrogen can't be any good either," Robin quipped. "But I think you and I can manage."

Raven rolled her eyes and added sardonically, "I'm so glad that you have that much faith in me."

"You know I do, Rae," he responded. Raven looked up at his hidden eyes not sure if he was being sarcastic or not. He grinned at her again and turned down the hall, leaving the witch lost in her thoughts.

…...

Starfire smiled brightly as the common room was brightly decorated in pinks and greens. Streamers hung in long loops from the ceiling, and balloons bobbed merrily, tied to various tables and chairs throughout the room. She floated about the room watching the final preparations before the arrival of her guests.

"Oh thank you, Robin!" she called as she threw her arms tightly about the Teen Wonder. Robin turned slightly blue as the alien girl's prodigious strength squeezed the air out of him. Star released her dearest friend-who-is-a-boy and smiled brightly. Her eyes glittered like light caught in emeralds.

Robin took several deep breaths to see if any ribs were cracked before answering, "Our pleasure, Star. I'm going to get the others and debrief them on tonight mission."

Raven set out the large punch bowl and watched from across the common room as Robin slipped away from Starfire and motioned over to the male Titans. They shrugged and traded disappointed glances and slowly filed out under the watchful eye of their leader.

"Hi, everybody," a quiet, unsure voice cracked.

A wide smile spread across Cyborg's face, a sly smirk curled Speedy's lips, a slight nod of acknowledgement tilted Aqualad's head, but Beast Boy narrowed his eyes distrustfully.

Robin turned. A young, pale girl with shocking pink hair and a taste for dramatic purple and black clothes stood in the doorway. She held a small suitcase before her. "Hello, Jinx," he said emotionlessly, "Glad you can make it."