She's like a Star

An: warning, I do put a lot of flack on superman in this chapter. I need someone to be against her being on earth and I thought he was the better candidate to be against it than anyone else in the series.

Chapter Two : Painful Truths

The Justice League was waiting for them as they came off the ship, Robin walking behind everyone with a sleeping princess in his arms. The rest of the Young Justice team walked down to the mentors that waited for them. None could remember the last time they had set foot in the Justice League land headquarters, it was definitely an experience and one they could tell was bothering Robin. He was never fond of the place since the split and none of them really got along with the Justice League. Sure they worked together and got their mission from higher up but they rarely worked alongside them or came to the building for meetings and what not. As the others stepped aside for Robin to come through the older heroes were shocked at what they saw. He came forward carefully, growing protective as they gasped at the girl in his grasp. Superman was one of the first to come forward, "Surely she can walk Dick," he told him with a raise of the eye brow.

"Not with the damage done to her ankles, she's having trouble and at the moment she's asleep so keep it quiet okay," he whispered softly, looking down as she curled tightly into his chest and sniffled. He took a look at his mentors and knew they weren't going to let up unless he woke her up. Looking down he saw how distressed she was, waking her up was probably the better option at this point. "Star...Starfire wake up." He cooed gently, not wanting to startle her. He could hear Kid Flash snickering behind him as he was acting so tender with her. It wasn't something he usually showed to anyone, not even Barbara or Zatanna. He'd never felt like this over someone but this warmth inside him felt natural.

After a few more words her eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at Robin before frowning deeply, "My side..." she squirmed in pain and groaned softly. Her ankles were bruising more deeply now as well along with her wrists, in the light of the hanger he could see the damage more prominently against her orange tinted skin.

"I know, I'm on my way to the medical wing now. There are people here that can help you, look over." He nodded ahead of him so she would turn her head away from his chest and as she did he felt her tense. "It's okay; they sent us to find you." He explained, not wanting her to be scared of the group.

She was able to stand for a moment before them, not wanting to seem helpless even though she was in a lot of pain. Robin was worried to let her down at first but he also understood the concept of pride and softly let her stand with his support still available to her. Leaning against Robin she gave a soft smile, "Starfire...princess of Tamaran." She introduced herself and watched as a look of shock came over most of their faces, save Superman who's eye brow were knitted on his brow. The princess tired to stand tall but her knees were quickly buckling she began to collapse. She turned away slightly, letting Robin pick her up again.

He wasn't about to let the interrogation begin with the state she was currently in. They knew enough for now. "M'gann I'm gonna need your help again. I was only able to take care of her side briefly. She'll need a full look over and treatment."

"You got it," the Martian walked along side Robin and Wonder Woman who offered her assistance in helping the girl.

However, as they walked out of the hanger Robin could hear Superman talking briefly before they left. "It's a Troq," he wondered what it meant but figured now wouldn't be the time to ask as they neared the medical bay of the head quarters.

x x x

Honestly he had wished they were able to go back to their own place but the Justice League would have more knowledge about how to help heal an alien. As he set her down on the hospital like bed he noticed that she had yet to let go and was clinging to him tightly as he set her down he was having trouble breathing. "Starfire, it's okay. They're just going to clean your wounds and make sure you're alright." He reassured her and after a while of soft whispers and promises she let go and laid back to left Wonder woman take over. Robin left the room and was standing there before his mentor again. "She's in rough shape..." he replied, speaking more to his father at the moment than anything.

"She seems to have taken a liking to you."

"Yeah, looks like..." he said with a bit of a smile as he rubbed his neck nervously.

"She's a Tamaranian princess, how on earth did she end up on a slave trader's ship?"

"I'm not sure. I mentioned it and she said something like...it was the least of her worries or something like that. Conversation wasn't really my strong suit at the moment." Robin blushed as he explained the language transfer and how he was more worried about her wounds than what had happened before earth.

"Sounds like quite the eventful rescue mission."

"Layoff..." he sighed before looking back up at him, "so what's the deal? What do we do now?"

"It's more of a waiting game. She has to tell us her story before we can decide what to do from here on out." Batman explained in a monotone voice.

"I promised her she wouldn't be recaptured, Dad...I need to keep my promise." No words were spoke after that and Batman smiled down at his son. He simply gave him a pat on the back and they both sat down on benches, waiting for the girls to come back out of the medical room.

x x x

Diana emerged first with a soft smile on her face, an offer of comfort to Robin who looked like he was about to tear his hair out. Before he could even ask she held a hand up and explained, "She's a strong one that's for sure. Most of her wounds are old and in the process of healing already. Her side was a superficial wound and no stitches were needed, just a tensor bandage and she'll need to take it easy. Her race heals fast apparently but she's going to need sunlight. She's explained that's how she can regenerate her powers." She then sighed and spoke more quietly to the pair of them, "she's been abused...heavily. I'm not sure of the details but something tells me there's more to that save trade ship."

"Is she well enough to tell us?"

"Whether or not she's ready, she says she'll speak to us but," she smiled down at Robin, "she wants to see you first. She's decent so head on in."

Robin smiled and walked by the pair of them to enter the medical wing. Wonder Woman smiled up at Batman, "when was the last time you saw that smile?"

"Honestly he's never smiled quite like that before." He chuckled before heading off to join the others and wait for the pair to join them

Inside Starfire was standing at the side of the bed running her fingers through her freshly brushed hair. M'gann had helped her to get all the tangles out of her extremely long locks. She had changed out of her borrowed clothing and was given something else to wear that would cover her more in the eyes of the adults. It was a pair of black legging-like pants and black knee high boots. Her top was a mid-drift , purple with long sleeves. The mid drift was easier so it didn't pull at the bandages that covered her abdomen. "Hey Starfire." He greeted quietly, watching her turn and smile to him in return, "Wonder Woman said you wanted to speak to me before we went to see the others."

"Yes...I wished to...thank you for rescuing me and bringing me to this place. I am forever grateful for your kindness."

"No need to thank me."

"No you do not understand...on my planet the only one who has ever shown me kindness is my K'norfka Galfore...he is my guardian. I have never felt so safe before..." she admitted, fidgeting with her hair.

He smiled gently and walked over, coughing nervously and taking her hand in his. "It's ok. I'm glad you feel safe with me. Let's go join the others."

x x x

Seated in the lounge the group waited for the two emerge and when they finally did step through the door, with Starfire holding Robin's arm tightly, Kid Flash was the first to smirk at the pair. "Take long enough to have your little chat session huh Dick?" he teased, making kissing noises before smacked over the head by Artemis.

"Give it a rest Wally.."

"Dick?" Starfire questioned.

"It's a nickname." Robin said with a smile and watched as she nodded in understanding before they moved to sit on the couches as well.

The room fell silent as they waited for her to begin and she squeezed Robin's hand, trying to find the words to start off. Batman saw the girl struggling and figured that asking a question would start her off easier. "Princess, why don't you tell us how you were kidnapped by them?"

"I was not kidnapped...I was gifted," a few shocked gasps were heard as she continued, "my father granted me to the citadel when I was 12 years old. I was taken there by the Gordanians and brought before the citadel to be there...slave. They place collars to render us helpless, my powers become useless," she took in a shaky breath, "I was a servant for only a day before I...I was gifted to the Psions as a..." she gritted her teeth and early crushed Robin's hand, "I was given to the Psion leader to be placed in his harem..."

"That's what you meant by a slave being the least of your worries..."Robin said, speaking more so to himself than anyone in the room but none the less she agreed.

"Yes, being a slave would have been much...better than what I was asked to do."

"What happened then?" Batman asked, wanting to keep her on track so he only had to ask her these things once. He knew it was going to be painful to relive these moments but he would never ask her again after this.

"It was there that I stayed for a year serving him but he never asked me to fulfill my duties completely. One day he took me to his chambers...then he tried to..." she let go of Robin, she could not bear to hold his had with what she would tell him now.

"I killed him when he finally tried to take me... I fought so hard but nothing worked...it was so painful and I began to become so angry...I fought and fought but nothing worked. I was not permitted to leave the room for days...many other came, many other times the pain continued. One day, I was able to summon my powers. I broke the collar off in my anger and killed the man who was trying to hurt me at the time..." she looked at the ground in sadness and guilt.

"After I had killed him the Gordanians were summoned to take me to another sector. They tortured me to try and get my powers to cease and tried to break me. I was there for three years and for the last two they have been shipping me around from customer to customer..." she grew silent.

"The ship was attacked by raiders as we passed by earth and my cell was breached. I managed to fight my out and escape to earth...now here I am." She waited for their response and the silence weighed heavily over her head. It was then that she started to cry, "I am sorry I killed him...I am so sorry... no one should kill and it was a horrible thing to do but I could not take it anymore..." she sobbed only to fell a tug as she was hugged.

This time it was not from Robin but Wonder Woman. "Do not apologize for defending yourself with what was necessary to be free. It's okay." Starfire did not protest as she all but fell apart in the woman's arms. The weight was taken from shoulders as the strong Amazonian woman gave her comfort and stayed firm.

After a while she was able to let go and Diana sat beside her on the couch with Robin on the other side, who had since taken her hand in his again and offered his support in silence.

"What kind of father would hand over their child?" Flash glared, looking to Kid Flash and the others with anger. "I mean, what the hell?"

"An appropriate response Flash," Batman dead panned.

"Well it's true!"

"My father had to hand one of us over in order to save our planet from attack. My sister was his heir because she was oldest and the other was a son. I was the only choice. He never saw me as much of a daughter anyway. I was a warrior and trained well but I preferred to first talk about simply trying to bash another's head in. My K'nofka always taught me to think before acting, but my job as princess was not to think..."

"What's a K'norfka?" Connor asked curiously.

"Gaurdian," Robin answered softly, rubbing her back before she closed her eyes and leaned against him.

"He is what a father should be..." Starfire whispered, growing tired from the emotionally draining experience.

The older heroes looked at each other and moved from the couches to talk when Superman said it again, "Do what do we do with the Troq?" before Robin could react Starfire tensed up.

"Star...what does Troq mean?" he asked, looking in her eyes for any signs of recognition.

"It means nothing." She whispered and tried to change the conversation, "I hate to be a bother but I am very tired." She closed her eyes and snuggled up to him.

"No it's okay. Close your eyes for a bit." He told her, wrapping an arm around her and seeing the look he was getting from Diana, "Leave me alone Diana..." with that he combed his fingers through her hair as she was lulled into a peaceful nap.

x x x

The League came back over within the next few minutes and was about to propose an idea when Aqualad stood up. He was the leader after all, it gave him a little bit a pull and since this was their mission they had some choice in what happened to the new girl. "What have you decided?"

"She will either stay here with us or she can join your team. She's going to need a safe haven from those things and we can't take her back to a planet that would hand her over to them in the first place." Superman spoke, looking down at her. "You will be permitted a stay on earth."

Aqualad turned to her, "I think it would be best if she came with us. She seems comfortable around us and Robin specifically, besides we could another member." He smiled at the girl who had since awoken. "If that is what you wish," wish her past he thought it was important that her voice be heard.

"I would like very much to remain on earth with your team Aqualad."

"Alright! So what are your powers anyway?" Kid Flash asked as he zipped over to her side and leaned over the back of the couch.

"I can release energy from my hands in the form of star bolts...or simply emit light. I can also emit the same energy through my eyes. Flight and strength also." She whispered, rambling off her powers and counting them off her fingers.

"Sweet! You can fly?"

"Tamaranian powers are inclined by our emotions...fight comes with feelings of joy."

"That's so awesome!"

"Yes awesome...just ensure that the Troq is kept under control." Superman said before walking away.

As the group said their goodbyes and headed back to the ship Kid Flash made the mistake of offering a high five while shouting, "Alright, welcome to the team Troq!"

She gasped and poked him in the chest. "Teammates do not call people names!" she was deeply offended and her eyes glowed green before calming down as pain reflected in them.

"Wow! Hold on, I thought you said it didn't mean anything."

"No...I said it means nothing. When the one you call Superman calls me a Troq he is saying I am worthless. A nothing." She whispered gently.

"But why..?"

"Tamaranians are considered inferior by many other races; Troq is what they call us." She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry; I really didn't mean it like that. I thought it was a nickname or something. You should have said something; we would have set him straight. I mean, you could probably take him with your alien strength." He flashed a quick smile, earning a small one in return.

"He is your superior; it is not my place to go against him."

"No he isn't," Robin came to stand beside her. "And if he ever calls you that again I'll set him straight for sure"

"We all will." Connor smiled to her as they started their trip home.

x x x

The first week was rather uneventful but Starfire was healing up well and quickly getting a hang of regular life and being a part of a team. She would help in the kitchen, already working alongside M'gann when preparing dinner and a s a surprise to everyone nothing was burnt and it actually tasted good. Other times she would spend hours with Robin watching him work on the R-cycle and other machines and computer programs. He was slowly teaching her many things and she could not help but feel her joyous feeling returning every time he looked her way.

He had told her of their real names and the idea of a secret identity, even helping her to create one named Kori Anders and providing her with a hologram ring to help her appear like a regular girl in public. The ring that helped to mask her skin colour, it made het less tan and her eyes were still green but with the whites no longer tinted.

"Dude you are so dead!" Wally shouted as he held the controller and was nearly standing on the couch as they played their racing game on the game station.

"No way man, you may be faster than me in real life but..." Dick watched as Wally's car crashed into a car, "you seriously suck at driving, real and virtually."

"Awww man!" Wally collapsed on the couch and listened as Starfire actually let out a giggle from her place on the floor by Robin's feet. "You just have to kick my ass, showing off in front of her."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He smirked, setting the controller down as she watched Starfire stand and look to him.

"I hate to be a bother but, I am in need of sunlight..." she whispered gently, embarrassed to ask such things. It seemed like such a small thing but it did help her regenerate faster.

"Oh right, M'gann is packing up a picnic lunch and we're all going to go with you."

"Glorious!" she smiled as she actually started to hover.

"Hey you're flying!" M'gann cheered as she came into the room with Connor. They were all dressed in civilian clothes and Starfire wondered what she was to do.

"I set some clothes out in my room for you to wear until we can get you to a mall." She explained before Starfire walked off and came back a few minutes later to see Robin had changed as well.

She was dressed in a jean mini-skirt that M'gann used to wear and a white tank top with a lace detail along the top. Her feet had a pair of pale yellow flip flops on. She was also handed the ring. She gave a tiny spin and looked to Dick who was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and grey t-shirt with sneakers. "Let us venture to the park." She giggled as she took his hand and asked, "Richard, will you teach me how to play the Frisbee?"

"Oh, sure." He laughed as they walked to the then realized they were the only ones walking and he turned to see his friends staring at him like he grew another head. "What?"

"She called you Richard!" they all shouted in unison.

"Yes, that is indeed your civilian name, have I said it wrong?"

"No Star, you said it perfectly."

"But you said no one could call you that!" Wally whined.

"Well, I don't mind when she says it." He whispered, meeting her gaze and she smiled back at him as they transported to the park and waited for the others to join them.

"Dude has got it bad..."

x x x

an: so don't worry, Superman will be redeemed, it just needed it as a plot point. She's not going to be eagerly accepted by everyone at first. Either way I hope you like it! Let me know!