Oh my GOOOOODDDDDD!!!! I haven't written for soooo looooong!! I am soooo sorry!! I've just been really busy. So without further ado –

Twenty Six: A Family Secret

Koriand'r looked at from her window to her now peaceful people. Since her sister's death, she had become more solitary and closed up. She did not even see Robin to thank him (Not that Galfor would allow it). Her heart had become hard and locked. If this experiance had taught her anything, it was that attachment of anything only leads up to the pain of loosing them. She did not want to feel pain any longer. And if that meant not feeling at all, so be it.

Knock, knock, knock…

"Kori?"

Her heart jumped and her breath quickened. She did not have to turn to know that Robin was standing at her door. She heard his footsteps come closer. Soon, in the corner of her eye, she could see his handsome profile.

"I see you are feeling better," she said.

"Yeah," he replied. "Galfor's a pretty good doctor."

"That is good…" There was some kind of void between them, pulling them away from each other. There was an awkward silence.

"I'm, um, going to launch today… Galfor's making such a big deal out of it and turning it into a ceremony… are you going to come?"

Another silence.

"I am afraid… that I cannot. I am sorry. I have much to do, you know…"

"Oh…"

He looked at her. She did not look back. He wanted to take her by the shoulders, shake her hard and say: "Look at me, dammit! For God's sake, Kori, look at me!". But he didn't.

"Well," he said, "I can see that you're busy."

"Goodbye, Richard," she whispered.

He turned and walked to the door. Just as he left, he paused and looked over his shoulder.

"Goodbye… Starfire…"

As his echoing footsteps died, Kori could not hold it in anylonger and broke down. Silent, shuddering tears ran down her face in streams, and quiet sobs escaped her lips.

How could she…? How could she push away the only man she had ever loved…? And after all he did for her…

"Your Highness?"

Kori straightened up and wiped her tears.

"Yes?" she said, voice cracking.

Galfor made his way to her side at the window.

"I see Robin has just said his goodbyes," he remarked.

"Yes?"

Galfor sighed.

"You really do love him, don't you?"

Her head snapped to his direction, and then hung in shame. "I cannot afford to love him. My people need me here, he is needed on Earth, and X'Hal would never permit my love to an outsider."

The giant looked to the sky.

"Koriand'r," he said, "you remember you mother, correct?"

She looked at him. "Well… not all that well, seeing as that she died when I was so young. Why?"

He hesitated.

"Galfor – is there something I should know about my mother?"

He took a few more seconds, but then answered: "Yes. Yes there is."

"What?"

"Korinad'r, you should have known this a long time ago, but promise me that you will not think any less of your mother?"

"Galfor, what must I know of my mother?"

"Your mother – she – she loved your father; very dearly. But after Komand'r was born, he – he would barley acknowledge that she existed. She was alone. Depressed. That is when I met her and… and fell in love with her."

Koriand'r merely stood there. He continued.

"Your mother was a great woman. Strong, intelegent, beautiful… she just had the weakness of loving two men. Then, nine months after she had met me… you were born."

Realization dawned on the new Empress.

"So… you are my – ?"

"Yes. Think what ever you want of me, but I beg you; do not think less of your mother."

Koriand'r was stunned. She didn't know what to say – or feel.

After a bit more of silence, Galfor asked: "Do you want this?"

Once again, she was confused. "What do you mean?"

"This," he motioned out the window. "Any of this."

She looked away. "Tameran is my responsibility. I must rule it."

"Yes, but do you want it? Do you want this life?"

She remained silent. In her mind, the thought flew through her head. Did she want this…?

"No…" she said after a little while. She was surprised at her own honesty.

He nodded. "Very well… You are not coming to the launch, I take it?"

"No."

"You should," he said.

"Why? What for? It will only make this harder."

"Oh… you never know. Something might happen."

He smiled and then left.

Kori looked back out to Tameran, confused and befuddled, not knowing what to make of anything.

What does Galfor have up his sleeve? Is this truly goodbye? And are you going to kill me for not updating in so long?

Tune in next chappie to find out!

T.