Chapter 2

Starfire sat on her bed, a sad look on her face. She held Silkie in the crook of her arm, leaning her head on his. she heard the front door open and slam shut, hearing the loud joking of Beastboy. She looked up and listened.

"is he okay?" Raven asked.

"yeah, i think he's okay," Cyborg responded. He sighed, "i just wish he hadn't said that to Star, she really did seem upset," he added. Starfire swallowed lightly, and heard Beastboy pressing an ear against her door.

"yeah, but i'm sure Robin made her feel better, he always does," he said optimistically. Starfire admired his faith but felt no different. She heard footsteps and Robin sighing.

"so how's the ungrateful slob?" he asked sourly. Starfire could tell by his tone he was really mad at Valior.

"you okay, man?" Cyborg asked. Robin cleared his throat.

"yeah, i'll visit Starfire in a bit," he said, and then his footsteps began to fade away. Starfire sighed again and lay down in her bed, as usual hanging her head off the end.

Robin stared out of the window in the living room, his face still angry. The Sun was just peaking over the horizon now, its reflection shimmering on the sea below. But Robin wasn't concerned with that kind of shimmer, he was worried about whether he would see the shimmer in Starfire's eyes when she smiled again. Valior had really hurt her this time. Robin clenched his fists.

"you okay?" Raven asked. Robin glanced at her and then looked back outside.

"fine," he snapped. Raven stepped next to him and looked out at the ocean with him.

"where is the usual optimistic today-will-be-a-great-day Robin?" she asked, sarcasm tingeing her voice. Robin sighed and unclenched his fists.

"today isn't a great day Raven, Valior is back, we have to save him and Starfire is more upset than the time she got mad at me for saying she isn't my girlfriend," he moaned, blushing with embarrassment. Raven scoffed, her version of a laugh, and smiled.

"don't worry, Starfire will feel better after a bit, she just needs some encouragement," she reassured, "Valentine's day is coming up in two days, you should get her a mystery gift, it'll make her feel special," she suggested. "i know, she told me when we switched bodies," she added, in sincere disgust. Robin looked at her in honest shock.

"how do you know it's Valentine's day, i thought you didn't like mushy festivals," he asked. Raven blushed.

"Beastboy reminded me," she admitted. Robin ruffled her hair lightly and walked out.

Robin knocked on Starfire's door again.

"star?" he asked. He heard her sigh again. "please let me in, Starfire, i just wanna talk," he pleaded. Starfire opened her door slightly.

"i do not wish for us to talk, i am too inferior for anyone, and especially to you," her voice strained at the end, she was obviously fighting crying. Robin took hold of her hand.

"don't you get it, Star? You aren't inferior to anyone, your stronger than anyone on Earth, you fight crime every day, you beat your sister even when she had that Jewel of Charta thing, the only one who doesn't see that is Valior," he reminded. Starfire glanced at his hand and pulled away.

"you are most kind, but i am not worthy of your touch," she sighed and closed the door. Robin sighed in defeat and left.

Starfire closed the door and heard Robin leaving. She opened the door again and watched him turn a corner. She squeezed her eyes shut and then blinked her eyes open again and stepped out. She walked along the hall, watching out for people. She wandered along, past Beastboy's room, then Raven's and then she arrived at Valior's recovery room. She opened the door and stood by his bed. Valior blinked open his eyes and glared at Starfire.

"what do you want Troq?" he snapped. Starfire bit her lip to stop herself attacking him.

"why do you assume that i am inferior to you?" she demanded. Valior grimaced at her.

"because you are inferior, you are a Tamaranean Troq and you are not worthy of this planet," he explained. Starfire tried to ignore him.

"robin tells me that is not true," she denied "he says i am truly special and you are the only one who cannot see that," she added. Valior scoffed.

"right, that sounds like Spike, always lying to make people feel better," he muttered. Starfire held up a starbolt surrounded hand.

"you do not know Robin," she growled. Valior looked at her hand in utter disgust.

"despite my saving you, kicking the butt of the monsters in your way, moving mines in deep space – even if you did want me demolished - trying to help, the monster happening to move unintentionally backwards you still think of me the "loser"?" she yelled at him, not putting down her hand. Valior spat at her disrespectfully.

"just because you do things doesn't mean you do things well," he retaliated. Starfire glared even harder.

"but at least i possessed the bravery to try," she responded normally. Valior growled and then lunged at her, taking her comment badly. Starfire screamed and threw Valior off her. Valior scowled at her and shot red lights from his eyes, colliding with Starfire and sending her into the nearest wall. Starfire whacked into the floor and rubbed her head in pain. Valior grinned. He then began running at her but suddenly, blackness surrounding him and he was pushed onto his bed. Raven appeared next to him, a dangerous look in her black engulfed eyes.

"Leave. Her. Alone." She ordered. Valior scoffed at her and turned away. Robin and Beastboy ran over to Starfire, helping her up.

"you okay?" Robin asked. Starfire looked at him gravely and nodded.

"i don't know about you but i think your fine Valior," Cyborg muttered from the door. Starfire looked from Valior, to Cyborg, to Raven and then Beastboy and Robin. She pulled herself free from the two boys and cleared her throat. Raven and Cyborg looked at her. Starfire looked at Raven and nodded discretely. Valior stood and looked at Starfire.

"if you do not think i am worthy if i defeat someone else; to prove myself, i should defeat you," Starfire challenged.

"what?" shouted the titans.