Ties that Bind

Unexpected But Expected

"Star, you all packed up yet? The sun is beginning to rise." Raven said silently cracking the door open to peer at her friend.

"Yes, I will be there in a moment." Starfire managed to choke out from her aching throat.

"Oh, no." Raven whispered to herself seeing Starfire gazing at the picture.

"Are you alright, Star?" Raven lightly said as she approached the grieving young woman.

"I will be alright in a minute." Star gurgled, before shutting the locket, placing it in her pocket. She placed a few more items in the suitcase before securing the top tightly back in place.

"It will be alright, Star. You will see everything will turn out for the better." Raven offered an insight for the future placing her hand on Starfire's shoulder in a reassuring way.

"Oh, Raven. It was all my fault!" Starfire sobbed throwing herself into Raven's embrace.

"She, it wasn't your fault." Raven whispered lightly wrapping her in a friendly embrace.

"He shouldn't have died! I was such a coward!" Star screamed into Raven's shoulder pouring out her guilt she has been holding in so long.

"You listen to me you are no coward!" Raven practically yelled into Star's face roughly shaking her so she would look up into her eyes.

"Robin did what anyone would do if they truly loved someone. When people are really in love with each other they will give up anything to make the other happy and protect them at all costs even if it means sacrificing their own life. Robin loved you so much he put you before his own life." Raven said staring directly into Star's puffy emerald eyes.

"Oh, Robin." Starfire pleadingly choked out his name.

"Now tell me Starfire would you have done the same? Would you have risked your own life to protect his?" Raven asked still staring deeply into her eyes.

"Yes, in a heart beat." Star said without hesitation crumbling to her knees.

Raven released her hold on Star as she sank to her knees trembling. Raven stood waited for Starfire to compose her self. Soon, the sobs that racked her body decreased, her breathing became a steady slow rhythm, and her eyes now only held a glassy finish that would soon dry.

"Thank you; Raven." Starfire expressed her gratitude standing back on her own two feet.

"Don't worry Star we won't let anyone hurt you. I promise!" Raven pledged to her best-friend.

"Come on we had better get going before the guys start to get worried." Starfire said grabbing her bag giving Raven the closest thing to a real smile.

The Titans arrived on the roof just as the sun began to streak over the mountain peaks. The cool crisp air danced freely upon the dawn's misty glow. The birds of the town began their daily news report of the events soon to come. Their songs trailed for miles out blasting the early morning traffic among the eerie deserted streets below, in Jump City. The titans glanced back to the relatively quite city that they have protected for years, etching every detail into memory for safe keeping. Each titan stared into a different direction of the city. All connected to one event; were their lives were changed forever.

"Well, lets hurry up. Don't want to keep his Highness waiting." The prince said in a chop, chop manner waving his hands to move them along.

The Titans boarded the craft placing their luggage with the pilot of the ship. Star was the last to board, reaching the top of the latter she turned to take on last look at the place that was her home, holding so many precious memories. She whispered a sorrowful good-bye towards the tower and the familiar city that had once seemed so cold and unforgiving only to help fulfill her soul.