Author's Note: If you cannot already tell, this chapter is from Starfire's point of view. During this story as a whole, I might or might not switch perspectives. I will, of course, provide the name of the character before diving into the scene.

Also, I thought that this chapter was posted for you all to read a while ago. Please forgive my absence, for I am not used to the way this site works just yet. Given that time permits—which it will, I am sure—I will be updating more frequently.

That is all. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Nightmare

From what I have learned whilst on the planet Earth, humankind anticipates the dreams awaiting them in their sleep. I myself have been accustomed to dreams as well, especially ones in which I was visited by my lost family members, even my best friends. I often found myself dreaming about Robin kissing me, which had been a plain fantasy for years but now was a reality. There was one problem, though.

Ever since we defeated the Commander Daizo, my slumber became a terror chamber, one in which it became unbearable for me to endure for long.

It all came to a head two days after the parade, when my dreams transformed themselves from enjoyable to complete nightmares.

It was always the same scene, not once had there ever been a change in these reminders of what I had suffered; it was always the same memory, haunting me, over and over again. It always flashed back to the moment in which I had been trapped beneath the ink from the monster we had been up against. I was trapped and, even in the safety of unconsciousness, felt as if I was being choked by the ink, just as I had been when it truly happened.

I remembered Daizo releasing Raven and I from his grasp, then being suffocated by the hardening gel. No one noticed I was in any danger of not breaking through the barrier that prevented me from being able to breathe; I suppose no one knows what they are dealing with until it is gone.

In my nightmares, it never went to the part where Robin saved me and kissed me; it progressed to the point where I ended up suffocating.

That was usually when I would wake up in my hotel bed, clutching at my throat and gasping for air.

Nothing else—not one thing during the duration of our stay in Tokyo—had seemed as real as that.

As I stumbled out of bed, for the mare of the nights had made another appearance, I made my way over to the bathroom. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my fingers rubbing the tiredness from my eyes.

With a heavy sigh, I grabbed my toothbrush and cleansed my mouth, which already was overcome with the coppery, metallic taste of blood. I supposed biting my cheek in my sleep was inevitable now. I could not help but think about how out-of-routine things were becoming. I had not slept more than four hours in the past three days. My friends seemed not to have noticed, at least not that much.

Like everything else, that was impacting my life, too.

Deciding to give up on sleep, I opened up my window and slipped through to the roof. The stars hovered above in the pitch-black night sky, beckoning me to watch them as the moon met the sun on the horizon. I sighed again, my thoughts drifting back to my nightmares. I buried my face in my knees as I hugged them to my chest, hoping the tears burning in my eyes wouldn't spill over and stain my cheeks.

Had I not alerted my friends to my distress, would they have noticed my predicament? More importantly, would Robin have kissed me?

These thoughts crept through my inner defenses, making tears cascade over in my emerald eyes. Unlike the solace I usually found from the stars, tonight it evaded me, teasing me like a cat and a mouse. Miserable, I hugged my knees closer to my chest until it was painful. I tensed when a noise sounded from behind me. Was someone coming outside?

I resisted the urge to check who it was, even though that was what my instincts screamed at me to do.

"Do you always have trouble sleeping?" a gentle, male voice asked from behind me.

I knew who the voice belonged to, but my emotional numbness left me scarce for words. Before I could muster an answer, a blanket was draped over my shoulders and the same boy sat next to me.

"Star, is everything okay?" Robin eyed me with extreme concern.

I dropped my arms in surrender and used my hands to help me stay in a sitting position, noting how close his hand was to mine. I trembled; my lack of sleep was now weakening me. "I do not know anymore." I laid back on the cold cement of the roof, the blanket offering some warmth as I hugged it close to me.

Robin copied me, lying on his side so he could face me and slipped his arm under my head so I could use it as a pillow. "You can talk to me," he whispered, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

I could not though, even though I wanted to. I just succumbed to his welcoming arms, trying not to squeeze him too tight. He kept murmuring my name, that everything was okay.

That my nightmares were an illusion, and that nothing as bad as that would ever happen to me again. He breathed gentle assurances in my ear, that he would always protect me from now on.

As he hugged me closer, I tried to find the right words to respond, but could not. My voice failed me this time. Anything I tried to say was masked by my sudden need for sleep.

At some point, I remember hearing the faint beat of his heart. I was awake enough to see that he was sitting with his back against the roof's ledge with me resting in his lap. His arms, so strong and steady, encircled me and steadied my own trembling frame. His fingers traced up and down my arms and my side, sending spurts of electricity dancing along my skin.

I cherished that feeling and desired to utilize this time with him, but I was too tired.

"Star?" he asked, his voice a quiet whisper in my ear.

"Hmm?" I managed groggily.

He gave me an affectionate squeeze and kissed my temple, my forehead, and the tip of my nose. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

I opened my eyes a little. "Yes, Robin. I do." He must have said something more, but I only heard the echo in my ears. Before I could respond and ask what he wanted to tell me, I was swept under by unconsciousness.

...

Little did I know that sleep implied that I would still have nightmares.

I guess it no longer mattered if you had someone who cared deeply about you to dull the pain.

In this nightmare, things were not the same though, but very different.

Robin was with me, his lips spread into a smile. It was such a nice look for him, to be happy. He grinned widely at me as my dream self walked toward him. Then his smile melted, transforming into a cry of panic.

I stepped away from him, only to find the dagger that went through his stomach pulled quickly away. Before I could help him, someone was screaming and the dream abruptly came to an end.

My eyes snapped open, and before I could react to the nightmare, I realized I was not in my own room. Robin's room was similar to mine and everyone else's. It had two beds, an oak chest for clothes with a small television propped up on it, and a mini refrigerator.

Robin sat at the desk with his back to me. His hair was flat, as if he had just washed it. His gloves were discarded on the second bed behind him and his fingers were fast across the keys as he replied to his emails. It was at that moment in time he acknowledged I was awake.

"Look who's awake," he said, turning to face me. He crawled across the bed and laid next to me. "Did you have another bad dream?" His concerned eyes searched my face for any traces of deception, the worry prominent even through the mask.

"Yes." I sat up and wiped my tired eyes. "I did not expect you to bring me in here."

"I didn't know if you wanted me digging for any keys," he said, scratching the back of his head and blushing. "I—err—was worried, so—"

"Do not be worried," I frowned at him, sitting up and stretching. "This phase…it shall pass."

The look he gave me showed he did not believe me, not a single word. He copied me, pursing his lips together. "What did you dream about?"

I could not let him see the devastation in my eyes. He could not know that I dreamt of his death, so I lied. "My parents."

"It's all right. I'm just glad you were finally able to get some sleep." He curled his fingers around mine and squeezed until I returned the gesture.

I managed a small smile. "Thank you for letting me stay in here on such short notice."

"You can stay in here for the rest of our stay if you want."

"No Robin, I could not do that. Not since—"

"Cyborg and Beast Boy's teasing doesn't bother me anymore."

"That is sweet of you, but—"

"Star, do you honestly expect them to grow out of it?" he joked. "Those two will still be making fun when they're forty."

My shoulders sulked. "Robin, I realize you are concerned, but I am okay. I finally was able to sleep, after the past few days. I am sure I will be able to sleep now."

"Wait, how long haven't you been able to sleep?" he asked, his brow raised.

"A few days, it does not matter—"

"Maybe you should stay in here for while, at least a few days," he said. I was about to protest, but his hand on my shoulder caused me to stop. "Star, if you haven't been sleeping, that can't be a good sign. I won't force you into anything you don't want to do, I just think it might help if you slept in here. I won't cross any boundaries. You can just sleep in this bed and I'll sleep in the other one."

I let my head fall to his shoulder and sighed. "As you wish."

"Hey, everything will be okay. At least let's try it, okay? Maybe then you'll be able to sleep." He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, rubbing warmth into my arms. "Everything's going to be okay."

I found myself going into a doze and snapped awake before succumbing to slumber again. "What time is it?" I yawned.
"Noon," he answered, running his free hand through his hair. He walked over to the mirror on the wall, combing it meticulously into his usual spikes after running gel through the tips with his fingers. "We have to meet the press at six tonight. Apparently the mayor wants to discuss something about the city."

"Is that so?" I asked him, propping myself up on my elbows and lying on my stomach to watch him.

"Yeah," he groaned. "I just hope he stops insisting we patrol the city."

"He has suggested that?" I replied. "I had no knowledge of—"

"I know," he interjected. "I kept telling him no. He has his own police force."

That struck me as odd. Jump City did, but he never turned them down. "Robin, if they request our assistance, surely it is in the benefit of these people to comply, is it not?"

"That's the first time I ever did that," he said quietly, his voice heavy with regret. "You're not the only one who's been losing sleep," he added.

I crossed the room, entwining our hands. "Robin, if it is something that concerns what we do, should we just….not do it?"

"Star, I don't think the city itself is in the best hands, and I'd love to help but this place is more dangerous than any of the force will admit," he said. "I feel like we'll never leave if we answer him. He's trying too much to get us to stay."

"He is desperate, yes?" I wanted to enter his arms again and feel his comfort, but something made me withdraw from him.

He chuckled. "Yes, he is very desperate." He tucked a few strands of my auburn hair behind my ear, leaving his hand along my jaw line to stroke it. He dropped his hand and guided me to the hall outside his door. "Go get dressed."

"But I thought—"

"Don't you want to explore the city? I wanted to take you out, but if you don't want to—"

"You did?" I questioned, cocking my head to the side. "As in on a—"

"—a date?" he finished with a chuckle. "Yes. So go get ready. We'll leave as soon as you're done. Wear something….flattering."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "What is this place to which you are planning to take me?"

"It's a surprise," he chuckled. He wrapped his arms around me and pinned me against the wall, resting his forehead against mine. "Just let me be a good boyfriend, all right? I need to start somewhere."

"You already are," I told him, hugging him tightly. I sniffled a little; my nightmares were still fresh in my memory, and the thought of him dying as the last one portrayed left me horrified. "Thank you," I murmured against his shoulder. A stray tear cascaded down my cheek and tainted his shirt, causing him to pull away and look me straight in the eye.

"We'll talk later," he decided, the concern that flooded his features disappearing at once. "Go get ready."

…

As I showered, I could not help but feel as if something was terribly wrong.

The water warmed me and relaxed me, truly it did, but the affect also left me drowsy. I caught myself after I tripped over the bathtubs edge. Raven, who was in my room to help me choose what to wear, knocked on the door franticly.

"Starfire, what was that? Are you okay?"

"Yes Raven," I grumbled, clutching the sink. "I am well." With shaking hands, I dried myself off and wrapped my towel around me, starting to worry about the sudden symptoms I was noticing. I collapsed against the wall, gritting my teeth as I attempted to regain my strength to stand up. My legs felt as if they were made of water, completely drained of energy. My flight was compromised as well, which worried me more than my sudden inability to walk.

"Starf—"

"Yes, I am positively—"

Then there came Robin's voice.

"Is she ready yet? I heard some loud banging."

"Robin, stay out! She's still—err putting things together," Raven called back.

"Raven, something's wrong," Robin growled, pounding his fist against the hotel room's door. "Let me in before—"

"You can't come in!" she insisted.

"And why the hell not?"

"Starfire and I are in the middle of changing for our afternoon plans. If you come in before she's ready, you'll spoil the surprise."

"What?! Whatever…I'm coming in anyway." Three loud, forceful blows to the door later, the door flew open and slammed loudly on the opposite wall.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

"Relax, Robin," Raven assured him. "She is—"

"In here," I finished for her. "Robin, I will only be a moment." I struggled into the white, strapless dress I had purchased back home in Jump City, my hands getting caught on the zipper.

Robin, of course, was very impatient as of today.

"Star?" he asked worriedly. "Can I come in?"

"Um—" I quickly locked the door, only to watch it shake as he tried to force his way in. Luckily, by the time he picked the lock I was done getting dressed.

"You're okay?" he said, clarifying it for himself more than for me.

"Of course I am," I told him with a small smile. "Why would I not be okay?"

"I just—I don't know…I'm worried."

"You worry too much." I closed the remaining distance between us and kissed him on the cheek. I squeezed his hand, not bothering to meet his eyes. Although I knew something was not right, I did not want to give it away—especially not to him. He was, after all, worrying excessively. I did not want to ruin his afternoon by burdening him with my sudden dilemma.

He could tell; he always knew when something was not right with me. Against all expectations, he stepped out of the room, giving me the space I needed. "I'll give you a few minutes then. Come to my room when you're ready." He cleared his throat before departing the room, the serious concern on his face worsening before he disappeared from view.

"Are you telling the truth?" Raven asked pensively, the concern written all over her face.

I stepped out of the bathroom and hanged my towel to dry. "Of course."

"Robin seems worried."

"He is probably just excited for our first official date." I went over to my things and pulled out the belt that came with the dress along with a bottle of perfume. As I sprayed it all over myself, Raven grew with concern.

"No, I don't think that's it. Have you been sleeping lately?"

At that, she had me cornered. Although I was tempted to lie, I decided against it. "No Raven, but I slept this morning, so it is nothing of importance and—" I stammered, slipping the belt around my waist and setting the notches into place. The sapphire color went really well with the dress, and I had a good feeling that Robin would like the color on me. Raven was still talking about her worries when I slipped into my sandals.

"That explains why you were falling over in the shower, but if you haven't slept, you should cancel your date. Robin shouldn't be—"

"He already knows I haven't been sleeping," I sighed. I walked to the mirror, combing my fingers through my hair and staring at myself. The dress went down to my knees and was, as Robin would say, very flattering for me. "He might just let me sleep, wherever he decides to take me. Please trust me, Raven. I will not be—"

"Fine." She went to the door, peaking through the hole. "I think the boys want me to come explore the city." Her voice was just as monotonous as usual, her eyes plain with boredom.

"It sounds like fun, Raven. Enjoy your time with Cyborg and Beast Boy. I am certain they will be very entertaining."

"Lucky me," she drawled.

As Cyborg and Beast Boy's voices echoed off the walls, Raven cringed. "Beast Boy, we can't go by the comic store! Doesn't the fact that Daizo controlled those ink freaks mean anything to you?" Cyborg yelled from the hallway.

"Of course," Beast boy groaned. "Its better now though, not haunted. C'mon please?!" he begged.

I pushed Raven in the direction of the door until we both were out of the room, making sure to keep my card key just in case. "Surely Raven must join you, yes?"

"Yeah, Raven. You excited?" Beast Boy teased, wiggling his eyebrow and grinning widely.

"No," she said, bored. "I would prefer to spy on Starfire's date with—"

"The Boy Blunder hasn't taken you out yet?" Cyborg repeated, unsurprised. "Well….I gotta kick some—"

"Cyborg, I assure you, everything is okay. We're going somewhere just as soon as you—"

"Are you ready to go?" Robin asked, locking up his room. Everyone stared unpleasantly at him, their eyes unwavering as he walked up to me. "What?"

"You waited this long—" Cyborg fretted, frustrated.

"Nothing, Robin," Raven interjected, grabbing both boys by the collars and dragging them down the hall. As soon as they were out of sight, Robin's fingers curled around mine, his smile meeting his eyes.

"Hello," he whispered, leaning in slightly. I backed up against my closed door, his eyes intently focused on mine.

"Greetings."

His free hand came up to stroke along my cheek. I was about to ask to do this in one of our rooms when he crushed his lips to mine. All it took was a second and I was enthralled in his kiss. Before I could ask for more, he pulled away, smiling in spite of himself. "I've been waiting to do that all morning," he complained. His breath fanned across my face, leaving its own intoxicating scent behind as he backed away further. "Come on. I've got something to show you."

…

He led the way to a park in the city. The trees protected the grass from the bright overhead sun, which almost blinded us on our way there. Children and pets played by their guardians, filling the air with laughter and joy. I listened to them with my eyes closed, deeply relaxed and at peace as we sat in the grass and simply enjoyed our time together.

"You falling asleep on me again?" he teased, tugging on my hand and pulling me towards him.

"Yes, perhaps I am," I admitted.

"Well, sleeping beauty, we aren't there yet. You can sleep all you want after lunch." He rose to his feet, pulling me to mine with him.

"We have to walk more?" I grumbled, leaning against his chest. I didn't expect him to sweep me off my feet and carry me though.

"There. Happy now?" he grinned, his face very close to mine.

"Very happy," I replied. I leaned in for a kiss, but he resisted this time.

"Aren't you going to wait before you get your surprise?" he said.

"Mm…?"

He said nothing more, most likely because he wanted me to relax in his embrace. I commended him, resting my head on his shoulder and listening to the sound of his boots against the grass as he climbed uphill.

He kissed my forehead, then put me down on the ground. "What do you think?" he asked. I opened my eyes to find myself lying on a beautiful purple and blue checkered blanket. At the edge was a picnic basket, which had sandwiches, fruits and veggies inside to eat.

"What is this?" I asked him.

"A thoroughly planned first date. You like it?"

"Yes!" I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hugging him until he protested. As we ate, we talked about simple things, about how he missed the tower in Jump City, and how I missed watching Cyborg beating Beast Boy while they argued over their games of video. I felt at peace with him, like I was safe. Like nothing could make this day any worse than the others prior.

At least, I thought it was meant to stay that way.

I guess fate has its own way of pulling the strings.

After an hour of us sitting together and enjoying ourselves, I could not ignore the speck in the sky that was getting closer to us. I was munching on an apple when I distinguished what it was. It distinctly reminded me of the ink monster that was sent to destroy me after Robin had been arrested.

Such a thought left me confused more than it gave me answers.

"Um…Robin?"

"Yeah?"

I pointed to the speck that was heading directly toward us. "What is that?"

He looked at it and tilted his head. "What are you talking about?"

I sat in his lap and checked for myself. Nothing was there; it was as if the speck vanished. I massaged my temples; I was hoping that the warning signs of illness I noticed earlier were not amounting to anything.

Robin crouched in front of me, clearly concerned. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I—" I was going to tell him everything, how bad I was feeling today, and how I had a hard time getting ready this morning, but that was all brought to an end when his communicator beeped.

"One sec," he assured me, flipping out his communicator. He rose to his feet and went behind a tree, sounding angry as he answered the call. "What do you want, Cyborg?"

"Raven and Beast Boy are driving me nuts! Can you take one of them—"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, aggravated. "No, Cy, and you're not a babysitter, just send them back to the hotel."

"But Beast Boy won't listen!"

"Just tell him to behave."

"That's not working. Raven might go back, but—" Raven's voice interrupted him, her tone grave.

"Robin, you and Stafire need to come find Beast Boy, me and Cyborg. Something's happened. Something bad," Raven said gravely.

Robin's face drained of color. "What happened?"

"Commander Daizo broke out of prison."

Reviews are always welcomed, although this alone probably isn't worthy of them! Again, I apologize for my absence. I will do my best to update weekly, if not for every two or three days.