I…am not…dead! Wow, I haven't updated in over two months! Incredibly sorry! School, sick, holidays, more sick, make-up work, laziness, more laziness…You guys have my permission to flame me, or come to my house and slap me for being so lazy! In return for not updating, I've given you two chapters instead of one. On with le fic!
(Oh, I don't own NASCAR….)
Chapter 9: Searching for Answers
"…Robin?"
Starfire hesitantly poked her head inside Robin's open bedroom, hoping to find him there, for she had looked everywhere else.
"Robin?"
Empty.
The beautiful alien princess stood up straight, looked in the room one more time, then continued down the hall. Suddenly, she felt a presence from behind, and a hand closed on her shoulder.
"Hey, Starfire-"
The red haired girl jumped in panic and swung around in the air. Her eyes blazed with emerald fire and her hands were readied in defense mode.
"Whoa! Starfire, it's just me!" Robin said quickly, with his hands up.
Starfire gasped and lowered to the floor. "I apologize, Robin."
The Boy Wonder smiled. "It's okay," he said, then his smile faltered as he looked at her, her head hanging down. "Is there something you want to talk to me about?"
The princess raised her head. "Yes," she whispered, and then looked down both hallways to find them empty. "I am…worried…about Raven and Beast Boy…"
Robin nodded sadly. Raven and Beast Boy had been a problem lately, and he wasn't surprised that Starfire was being affected by their arguing.
Starfire went on. "They were fighting again this morning. I am afraid they might hurt each other…soon."
She paused for a moment and then asked, "Why do they fight so much? I know they do not hate each other, but what could one have done to arouse so much anger in the other?"
Robin did not have a definite answer to her questions, but he could come up with a few good guesses. Beast Boy took Terra's death hard, and took it out on Raven, who had never liked her in the first place. But Robin had to admit in the back of his mind that it was partially his fault for allowing the anger to come this far.
I'll talk to them, he thought. Separately.
Robin came out of his thoughts and put a hand on Starfire's shoulder. "Don't worry Star, I'll talk to them. I'll try to figure out what's going on, okay?"
Starfire brightened a little at his words. "Thank you, Robin," she said sincerely, and turned and walked down the hall.
Later the same day…
Starfire floated upstairs into the living room, where Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Raven were seated. Cyborg and Beast Boy were watching NASCAR, while Raven was, or at least trying to, read while wondering what is so entertaining about cars running in a circle.
The alien went into the kitchen, into her room, and back out again. She looked out the windows, where the evening sun wasn't very far from setting. Finally, she floated to the stairs.
"I am going for a walk," she said to her teammates.
"Okay," Beast Boy and Cyborg replied unanimously, their eyes still glued to the screen. Raven said nothing.
The princess flew sadly down the stairs.
Even later on the same day…
The sun had just set when Robin climbed up the stairs and strode into the living room. Beast Boy and Cyborg were (still) watching NASCAR and Raven had just started reading a new book after finishing the other one.
The Boy Wonder looked around the room and asked, "Has anyone seen Starfire?"
"I guess she's not back from her walk," replied Beast Boy.
"Oh…" Robin paused for a moment. "Do you know when she left?"
Cyborg shifted in his seat on the couch. "Well, since she left right after the first race started, then she left at about 7 o'clock." Raven lowered her book and raised an eyebrow at him. "Why you ask?"
Robin didn't reply, but looked at the clock on the wall. 9 p.m. "She's been gone for a walk for two hours?"
The other Titans stopped and stared at each other, then back at Robin.
"Oh my God…"
