Chapter 15- Normal

By the time Starfire gathered up enough courage to go to the medical bay Robin had fallen asleep again. Quietly, she pulled the covers up more and lightly kissed his forehead. The past couple of days had been so hectic and there was so much she needed to talk to him about. Not so much because they went on one date but because he was her best friend and she could always tell him when something was bothering her. At least that was how things had always been between them. She took a seat next to his bed and placed her hand over his. This was the first time during everything that it was quiet and she realize how exhausted she felt. Her emotions were raw after going between full rage and worry. Glancing over at the clock she realized the sun was starting to rise and recharging would probably make her feel better. As silent as she had entered she slipped out and headed up to the roof.

Just as she thought, the sun had just peeked over the horizon. She walked over to the edge of the Tower and sat down. This was her normal ritual however Robin usually joined her. Now that she thought about it she wondered when he actually did sleep on a regular basis. He always pushed himself so hard it made her forget that he was human and could still get hurt. Despite the refreshing rays of sunshine the worry about the uncertain future came rushing back and she pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. He wasn't really himself on the way home and she wondered if he blamed her for what happened since it was Blackfire who took him. She worried that this wouldn't just effect their romantic relationship but also their friendship just as her sister predicted.

"Can you take your feelings somewhere else," She blinked and glanced over to see Raven attempting to meditate.

"Oh I do apologize. I did not mean to disturb you." Raven opened one eye hoping that this meant Starfire would politely leave but this was never the case. "Um Raven, can I speak with you?" She sighed heavily in response.

"This is about Robin isn't it?"

"How did you know?" Raven sighed again and stood up knowing Starfire was not going to leave her alone.

"I didn't need to read your emotions if that's what you think. You don't hide it very well when you're upset," Starfire dropped her gaze and looked like she was on the verge of tears, "Please don't cry. I can't handled that." Despite her words, Raven's tone held no concern which Starfire was used to.

"Well it is just that Blackfire said that Tamaraneans get weird when they fall in love and then the Grand Physician said I would more then likely hurt Robin which I do not want to do. And you have a connection with him so I thought that maybe you would understand more about how he feels..."

"You have to stop this or you're going to explode," Raven finally interrupted her. Again her alien friend looked as though she would cry.

"I do not wish to explode, it is just this is most troublesome, more so then I thought it would be. Is it always like this?"

"Dating is complicated, you just have to work through it. If you want to know how he feels I think that you should ask him. Then you can tell him how you feel...maybe give him the short version. Also you really need to consider the source when it comes to your sister. Misery loves company after all."

"I suppose she is miserable. I will talk to him and try not to worry so much."

"Good," Starfire resisted the urge to hug her.

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It was the low angry growl that finally woke Robin up this time. He couldn't ignore his stomach's protests any longer and he pushed the button on the side of the bed in order to sit up. He was relieved he didn't feel nearly as bad as he did the night before. This entire situation had really thrown him off his game and he was desperate for things to go back to the way they were. At some point Cyborg had graciously given him his bathrobe so he wouldn't feel so indecent anymore. Just as that thought went through his head Cyborg knocked loudly on the door as he came in.

"How yah feelin?"

"Hungry," was the obvious reply.

"Good to hear it cause breakfast is coming up in a minute. You at least look like you're feeling better," he replied while looking at the nearby monitor to confirm it. "I think you should probably take a couple of days off though, maybe just hang back and let the rest of the team handle any issues that come up," his tone was much more serious now.

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea?" Cyborg blinked in shock.

"Glad you agree for a change. Honestly if that Grand Physician guy hadn't been here I don't know if we would be having this conversation," Now it was Robin who looked shocked and Cyborg snicked in response. "Sorry, I'm still not used to this no mask look of yours. Go back to being all secretive and not getting kidnapped by alien women, okay?" He let out a heavy sigh and nodded. There was another knock on the door only this time is was much lighter. Starfire smiled as she carried a rather large covered tray.

"I hope you are hungry. I have made you the most amazing meal ever." His immediate thought was that she had figured out how to recreate Tamaranean food and it worried him. She wasn't known for actually cooking anything edible before and at one point had been banned from the kitchen for almost setting the place on fire. She noticed his heart rate on the one monitor had increased slightly and concern took over her features. "Are you in distress, Robin? I trust you are feeling better, yes?" He forced a faint grin in response not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"Oh he's just happy to see you. I'll leave you two alone." Cyborg was doing that thing he always did and Robin glared at him as he left. Starfire set the tray down and lifted the lid to reveal her masterpiece. She beamed with pride.

"I wasn't sure what you would like to eat so I made all your favorites." She announced as he looked over the tray filled with waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, juice, coffee, and a bowl of oatmeal.

"Star, this must had taken you all morning, thank you." She attempted to cover the obvious blush but he had noticed anyway.

"Please, eat. I am sure you are very hungry." He didn't say anything else and took on some of her eating habits as he demolished most of what was there in a small amount of time.

"That was really good. When did you learn to cook?"

"This morning...I went on the internet." Robin concealed his worry as the internet was also something she had been banned from after she accidentally signed up for an inappropriate website which resulted in a large bill sent to the Tower. "It's not as evil as you said it was," she stated as though reading his mind, "I found other information that I believe will be most useful," this statement only confirmed his suspicion that he would likely be getting another bill.

"Did you "buy" anything I should know about," there was a joking tone in his voice.

"No, I did not. I was looking at information that could help us." She dropped her eyes to her lap and was blushing again.

"Um, okay. Like what?"

"Human biology." Robin got quiet and suddenly became very self conscious. "I figured I have never thought much about it but it is something that will effect us, yes?" Robin swallowed hard and nodded back. She was right and there wasn't any harm in her being curious. It would technically be easier on them if she had some knowledge about how his body worked, maybe. That thought made him nervous for some reason. Starfire wasn't her sister and she certainly wasn't some random alien using him for breeding. He had known her for years now. His thoughtful silence made her worry that he was becoming distant. She couldn't hold back anymore. "Robin...I'm sorry about all of this," she blurted out and he immediately reached over and took her hand.

"Why are you apologizing, Star. None of this was your fault."

"But Blackfire would not have attacked you if it was not for me and she told me that it was because we went on the date and..."

"And I'm the one who suggested we go out so it's not your fault. I don't want you blaming yourself for this, okay," she nodded back quietly, "Did you think this would change anything?"

"I was worried that you would not want to be my friend anymore," she confessed. He leaned forward and lifted her face towards his. He pressed his lips softly against hers and he heard her sigh in response. As he cupped her cheek with his hand he noticed she started to pull the sheet and blanket down that was covering his lower half. Opening his eyes he realized she was more focused on that then kissing.

"Starfire!" He pulled away from her and quickly grabbed the blankets to pull them up higher.

"I am very sorry, I am just the curious." Despite the innocent smile she was giving him the suspicious look remained in place. She let out a huff and scooted back some. "I will leave it alone."

"Thank you," he grumbled back. "I get you're curious Starfire but maybe we can discuss this kind of thing some other time. I've been pawed at more then I like to admit lately." She agreed but it was clear she wasn't happy about it.