Author's Notes: Hi! . . . Um, it's 5 in the morning and I should be asleep. Heh heh, here's a chapter. XD

Chapter 18: Subtraction

Starfire couldn't believe her eyes, hoping that she was only having a bad dream after her and Robin's six month anniversary celebration. How could things plummet downhill so fast and so without warning? She was frozen, time stood still, and her eyes were unseeing. She wasn't aware of the chaos that ensued all around her: the explicit threats Raven threw at the masked nemesis while Beast Boy tried with little success to calm her down, Robin's futile attempts at snapping Starfire out of her daze, and Cyborg's frantic typing as he tried to track down Slade's current location. Only a few things went heard by Starfire, echoing inside her shocked and distressed mind.

"You really thought I had no idea that you and Adelaide were conspiring against me? My, you still underestimate me even after all these years."

"I swear, Slade, the next time we defeat you, it will be permanent. That is a promise."

"Guys, there was a recent spaceship departure from the south city; Slade's not on Earth anymore."

"Thank you, Titans, for everything. You've made this truly easier than I thought it would be."

"Robin… Starfire doesn't look so good…"

"Sta-... Starfire!"

The noise around her faded into silence as her vision blackened into nothing.

Robin stood at the red-carpeted stairs, adorned in a traditional Tamaranean marriage garb which was mainly silver and gold. He wore a priceless groom's hat and pair of arm cuffs, both shimmering in the light as the precious metals reflected the gentle light of the ceremonial room, which was located in a different part of the palace from the chapel that Starfire had nearly been married in before. The purple and pink skies reflected inside the chamber through the enormous windows that overlooked the dazzling landscape below, low-lying clouds rolling lazily through the towering rock formations and ivory-colored mountains. Robin looked over the large crowd thoughtfully, eyes settling on Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg, who were all smiling up at the nervous soon-to-be-husband, standing out in the room that was filled with native Tamaraneans that had appeared to watch their princess' wedding.

Finally, a girl who was equally nervous, yet bursting with joy, came through the two ceiling-high doors in the back of the room. Her face immediately lit up upon seeing Robin, her smile reaching ear to ear as she strode past her fellow citizens, her small arm linked with Galfore's. He slowly led her to her boyfriend of three years, knowing well that this boy was his little bumgorf's future, and that said future was a very optimistic one. Starfire glided to Robin's side, locking her bright green eyes with his, seeing straight through the mask on his face. Robin looked at her ornate wedding dress in awe - the simple white one she had worn at her last 'wedding' was completely insignificant in comparison. Sparkling beads made of diamonds, rubies, amethysts, and emeralds shined all across the silky fabric, elegantly draping across her curves and flowing onto the ground, trailing behind her for a few feet. After taking in each other's attires, they turned their attention to the one giving the ceremony, which happened to be Galfore himself, the Grand Ruler of Tamaran.

After rehearsing the typical marriage speech in both Tamaranean and English, Galfore had Starfire and Robin read each other their vows.

"Starfire." Robin began, clearing his throat slightly as everyone watched him expectantly. "I was honestly drawn to you since the day I met you… and I feel like the luckiest guy in the universe for being able to get to know you in these past few years. You've been an amazing teammate and valuable fighter, but most of all, you have been my best friend. I've never really been… good at telling you how I felt… but now hear me when I say I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and not just because I love the way you shoot starbolts." This remark earned several chuckles from the audience. Robin smiled. "I promise to always take care of you and protect you… and love you… until the end of our days."

He silently slid a shining Centauri moon diamond set in a gold ring onto her delicate finger, keeping his masked eyes on hers as he did so, seeing the glassy film they developed as her unwavering smile grew. Once it was in place and she held it up to the light in amazement, Robin added in a near whisper, "I know how much you love these… and they match your beautiful eyes." She looked back at him gratefully, grabbing his hand and gently twirling the ring on his own finger.

Galfore looked down upon the happy couple gleefully, saying in a deep, booming voice, "Do you, Richard Grayson of Earth, take Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran to be your wife as approved by the Grand Ruler of Tamaran?"

Robin kept his gaze fixed on Starfire, confidently replying with an "I do."

"And do you, Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, take Richard Grayson of Earth, to be your husband?"

"Of course I do!" She exclaimed slightly impatiently, earning some giggles from around the room.

"Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

And Robin didn't hesitate to follow that suggestion. He wound his fingers in hers and used his other hand to gently caress the back of her head as he pulled her in, lovingly placing his lips on hers as the rest of the world seemed to melt away, leaving only the two newly-married lovestruck heroes in its wake.

With that, Starfire's eyelids cracked open slightly, white light pouring into her vision. She heard muffled voices next to her, talking quietly by her side.

"She's just dreaming, she'll be okay." Raven said reassuringly.

"Are you sure? She just went through so much…" Robin said, concern flooding his voice.

"Don't forget: she isn't from here. She can withstand more than we can… and her vital signs are looking considerably better."

"I know. But that does nothing to ease my worries."

"Hold on - I think she's waking up."

Starfire opened her eyes halfway, a very difficult task at the moment. They shifted back and forth lazily between Robin and Raven, who were sitting on either side of the bed Starfire was laying in, which she slowly realized was located in the Titans' infirmary. This was the last place she saw before she had disappeared with no idea if she would ever return.

"Star?" Robin asked, his voice not sounding any less concerned. "How are you feeling?"

She moaned in response, causing her husband's eyebrows to furrow as he didn't take that answer well.

"She's alright, Rob." Another voice stated consolingly, drawing Starfire's attention to the half-robot examining charts and monitors on the other side of the room. "She's just totally exhausted from having a baby under those circumstances and then using her powers so intensely and so emotionally. Plus, she was electrocuted - but that will heal with time. Rae's right; she'll be okay." Cyborg turned around to give them a sad, yet hopeful smile. "What she needs now is rest, and lots of it."

Robin let Cyborg's words sink in for a moment as he gazed down at his tired wife. He reached his gloved hand for her frazzled hair, gently stroking it and smoothing it down. Raven watched his actions tentatively before looking down at the ground.

"Why…" Starfire croaked, her voice barely audible. Robin's hand paused as he studied Starfire's face.

"Why what, Star?"

"Why… are you all so sad?" She completed quietly, looking at her three melancholic teammates. They all glanced at each other knowingly before looking back to Starfire, Robin slowly withdrawing his hand back into his lap. Does she not remember what happened?

"Star, this isn't easy to say, but…" Cyborg said hesitantly, taking a deep breath. "Marla was taken. Slade's got her."

The mere mention of her new daughter's name caused all of Starfire's recent memories to flood back to her. The image of her baby sedated and completely vulnerable reappeared in her mind instantly, causing her anger to flare dangerously as her eyes flashed bright green. Everyone automatically edged away from her except for Robin, who actually drew closer as he quickly gripped her hand.

"Star, don't worry; we're going to get her back." He stated confidently. "And we'll get behind what's been going on for the past six months - maybe even longer."

Instead of immediately understanding and trusting him, Robin was taken aback to see Starfire's fiery eyes turn accusingly towards him.

"You say that, but why are you here?! Why are you not looking for her right now?!" She demanded, ripping her hand out of Robin's.

Robin was stunned to see her so angry, especially at him. "W-we are, b-but-"

"Beast Boy's actually down there right now, refueling the T-ship... which he insisted he won't damage this time." Cyborg said, mumbling the last part doubtfully, saving Robin from annihilation by his wife.

Robin nodded, sighing in relief. "We have been in here treating you, but we're going after Slade in just a few minutes."

Starfire still looked at him skeptically. "Why are you all here, though? Would not the task of readying the T-ship go faster if more you assisted Friend Beast Boy?"

"We were worried about you, Starfire. We needed to be sure you were okay before we left." Raven finally said, her eyes slowly meeting Starfire's. "Please understand. We all thought we lost you - it will be difficult to leave you again."

Starfire felt her anger dissolve… until Raven mentioned their impending departure without her.

"What do you mean?! Of course I am coming as well, I must help!" She exclaimed, sitting up quickly only to become dizzy as she held her spinning head in her hand. Robin gently pushed her back down.

"Sorry, Star - but we need to do this ourselves. You're in no condition to fight; let alone fly out into space." Robin clarified softly yet firmly.

Starfire silently fumed in her bed, crossing her arms sourly as Robin watched her sadly, but his expression soon turned serious as Beast Boy appeared on his communicator after a few curt beeps.

"Ship's all ready! Told you I could do it, Cy." Beast Boy reported, adding the last part with a hint of irritation.

Robin snapped the device shut, hearing all he needed to. "We'll be back, Star. With Marla." He said quickly, leaning down and giving her a hurried kiss on the lips before jumping off the bed and nearly running out of the infirmary. Starfire looked after him longingly, her eyes slightly glazed over. Raven followed suit after patting Starfire's shoulder awkwardly but reassuringly, phasing through the floor to where the T-ship was docked.

"We ain't leavin' you completely alone - Bee's gonna be here soon to look after ya." Cyborg said as he rushed to put away his testing equipment. "Rob just wants what's best for ya, okay? And I agree with the guy - you aren't ready for this kinda thing right now."

Starfire nodded slowly, eyes glued to the floor. Cyborg also put his hand on her shoulder consolingly before heading out the door himself. Starfire laid her head onto her pillow hopelessly, staring at the ceiling as she imagined what could be happening to her daughter at that moment. What could Slade want from her? Does he really want her as a weapon or an apprentice, or is it something more complicated and even more sinister than that?

Author's Notes: Yay for flashbacks! And bit of a wait again, sorry, but I am now swimming in unfamiliar waters. When I started this story, I planned it out till about a chapter or two ago... now I'm sort of winging it hahah. Why I didn't plan an ending back then, I have no idea, but it is coming to me. Slowly. I think the conclusion is drawing near... but I may kind of be planning a sequel of sorts. ;)