Normally the feel of cotton would be a welcome even comforting sensation. Though when my finger tips just found cotton I let my face sink deeper into the pillow. I hadn't remembered going to bed, but Raven threatened me she would make me if I didn't go myself. I guess she likely made good with that threat.

Starfire was still missing. It was the fourth day, which changed the protocols. I could get extra search resources for three more days and then we would have to pretend like she wasn't coming back at all. I didn't want to waste any more time sleeping when I could be looking for her. She deserved every resource, every effort I could give to finding her.

There had been no sign of her in the trash heap that apparently was a big part of the gyre. None of the satellites had picked up her heat signals or radiation finger print. Missing signs were posted along both coasts in case so twist of fate she was sent towards Asia. There had been so sign of her, but if she was dead we would of likely found her body by now. That little information was enough to keep me hopeful, but each hour that past now hurt.

The news had already moved on since there were no updates to tell, but it also meant that the organization was seeking more ways to get attention. They had three numbered countdowns going on a website that kept popping up no matter how many times it was taken down. It was frustrating as they had the footage of the explosion as their header.

I did not linger in my bed once I looked at the clock and saw it was 9 am. That was way past my normal sleep schedule. Though my head still felt groggy.

I did not waste time as I rushed getting ready to go back to the main room. Some sort of information had to come in the time I was dead to the world. I was greeted by the sight of Cyborg manning the computer. He had moved a portable charger so he was able to just stay on top of everything. I was envious of that ability. I knew he would need actually sleep for mental health in a few days, but he was an asset. The screens did not seem to have anything new or alerts so I decided that coffee was a worthy detour before a briefing. I dumped out the old pot since I was not unconvinced someone had laced it with melatonin or another sleep aid considering how deeply I slept. A new one would take time and I let my head sink to the cool surface of the counter top trying to feel more awake. The adrenaline I had been running off of must have been depleted.

"Batman called, he wants you to get back to him when you can." Cyborg informed me when I had finally gotten some energy back in my system. I grimaced since he was not something else I really wanted to add to my plate at the moment. Though with him it could be anything or it could be relevant information.

"Thanks, I'll get back to him soon. Is there any updates?" I had eased up on my 20 minute rounds after the sun went down the second day.

"Aqualad is coming to recharge and bring something. Red Star is joining the team to check the Asian coastlines in case our calculations were wrong. Argent is checking the pacific islands in case she got stranded. I had the upper atmosphere checked in case she was propelled upwards, but still no dice. Beast Boy is out again checking the path." He said and I saw he was exhausted as well from the hunch in his shoulders. We were probably all in need of a pep talk and nap, it just wouldn't make us feel any better until we actually found her.

"Thanks for taking over." I had been short in the past few days, but this would have been so much worse if I had an incompetent team. I checked through the update log myself just for that element of control and then decided it was probably worth it to bite the bullet and call Bruce.

"I'll be back in about half an hour, come get me if anything changes." I said after going through all the information.

"Take an extra 15 and shower, she wouldn't want you not taking care of yourself." He chided me and I ducked my head knowing that he had the least sensitive nose which must meant I was not exactly pleasant to be around. He was right, Starfire would have thrown me over her shoulder and into a shower by now. She had done so in a previous obsessive streak. She had always taken it on herself to make sure I didn't go too far.

"Fine, but you need to take a nap when I get back." He needed one.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You needed something?" I was not in the mood for small talk and he was rarely interested in participating in it. We were aligned for once.

"I wanted to check your progress. I know you two are… close." He said and seemed to have more pity in his tone than I expected out of him.

"No progress to report yet, were suspecting she's injured and stranded somewhere we just haven't found her yet." I gave him the update trying to keep my tone neutral. I was not in the mood for a concerned father act when it would throw me off my game even more.

"It's been four days. Have you started to consider the alternative? I've seen Superman come out of some bad explosions and worse odds, but we all know one day he might not beat the odds." This was worse than anything I had expected. This was genuine concern.

"It's only been four days, she deserves as much time as I can give her. She's been through too much and has too much left to do for this to be the end." I knew my neutral tone had slipped to anger. I didn't want to listen to his doubt, he didn't know her. He didn't know her limits. I knew he had seen the tape. Everyone on the planet had seen the tape by now. It looked impossible, but as Titans we specialized in impossible.

"I won't take more of your time then, I will continue to lend resources as needed." He said and signed off. Well that could of gone worse. I did need to stay focused on getting her back. Though I would accept a quick shower would fill the time I put aside for a conversation. Bruce was good at reading when he hit a brick wall. I was relieved he wasn't trying to go above it or break through it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxx

The day started off late and it seemed that steam was starting to dissipate. The Coast guard had given up its involvement. It was a good effort, but there was nothing left for them to do. It reminded me of the time crunch we were under.

I started to look more at the website of Mankind trying to figure out what dates and times were associated with the countdowns. Were they just going to start drawing out the alien superheroes and pick them off one by one. Argent was definitely someone who needed to be protected if that was the case. More of the League of course, but she was under my protection as a Titan. She would need back up.

"Titans, I need whoever is available to shadow Argent for the time being. Keep fighting in team or pairs, and keep solo missions to a minimum." I said into the general Titan stream as a message. Now was a time to be strong.

I saw almost instantly some offers to house her or shadow. I let Hotspot take over shadowing and Bumble Bee offered to house since they were down a member with Aqualad trolling the seas. He had to be exhausted himself which was why he was retreating to the Tower.

Cyborg had gone to take a nap and Raven was now helping with sorting through the sighting reports that people were sending in trying to be helpful. Most were not that helpful, with a few that seemed to just be people wanting to believe they saw her. Though it was worthy to exhaust the tips while the public was still trying to be helpful. A beach clean up group in Jump had devoted searching for her within their efforts of cleaning up the debris from the massive waves.

"Hey Rob, me and Aqualad will be at the tower in 10. Nothing to report from the South." Beast Boy said over the communicator and I sent a received tone back.

"Can you make sure there's a bed ready for him, I think he's mostly coming to crash and be able to get back out there." I asked Raven and she nodded before slinking out of the room. She had been quiet today and I knew that was just her way of processing.

I made it up to the roof to see the outside world. It was a beautiful day, but it was not something I could fully enjoy. I couldn't help myself from staring at the clouds hoping by some twist of fate she would break through them and join me. Every time we had been separated or captured, we had found each other. We were connected. I would have felt something if she was truly gone.

Though my fought were broken as I saw a green falcon fly directly towards the Tower. Ten minutes must of past quickly. Time was slipping too fast.

I went back inside and opened up the lower entrance so they could have access. We didn't have a sea tube in this Tower like Titans East. He knew the way, but it was nice to have it open so he didn't have to remember a code and Beast Boy was no help. Raven and a freshly awoken Cyborg came into the main room. He still looked bad, but none of us were photo ready. Now was not a time to keep up appearances now was a time to push.

Aqualad looked the worst out of all of us, his black eyes seemed unfocused, bags were layered under his eyes, and he looked waterlogged. Though clasped in his hand was a something that seemed to be what he meant to bring back. He came out of the elevator with unsteady steps.

"I scoured the area top to bottom, but all I found were these." He said and passed to my hands an assortment of rocks. Well diamonds was the right word, green Tamaranian diamonds. "I'm sorry." I squeezed the gems in my palm so tightly it hurt. I understood his meaning, he believed it was possible all that left of her were these.

"Thank you." I said since there was nothing else I could say.

"We have a room made up for you to rest." Raven said and he gave her an appreciative nod, he put a hand on my shoulder and Cyborgs giving a squeeze before following Raven out of the room. Beast Boy was looking at the gems with defeat. It was too late to ask him questions as he already disappeared, but Aqualad had brought us a first piece of the puzzle not an end.

"We need to run a density scan, I want to know how hurt she could be based upon the blast." I said and moved towards the elevator since the lab was a few floors down.

I felt eyes of pity on me, but I ignored them. This could not be all that was left. Though when the doors to the elevator closed, that doubt closed around me as well. I sank to the ground and finally felt the blood dripping down my hand from cutting myself on the stones. I loosened my grip, but clutched them to my chest as a child would a teddy bear. Too bad there was no comfort to be found.