Why? Such a simple and straight forward question. Usually, when it pertained to earthly matters, Robin could give Starfire an answer. Today he had no other answer than, "Because". An answer he hated giving just as much as he hated getting.

The day had started out normally enough. It was mid summer and the Titans were enjoying the day, using one of the perks that came from living on an island, and were relaxing on the beach. Beast Boy and Cyborg were competing with each other to see who could build a better sand castle, both of which would be destroyed later with high powered water guns. Raven sat under an umbrella, reading. The first why question of the day that Robin had to answer was why he thought Starfire had to learn to swim. The answer he gave her in front of the others was practical and she agreed with it. She had lost her powers before, and if the need arose she at least wouldn't drown. His other, more personal reason, that he gave her when the others were out of earshot made her blush to the point that her face almost matched the color of her hair. He simply wanted to spend the afternoon with her.

Two other things that Robin had said had made her blush. First was his complimenting her on how she looked in her bikini. The other was his praise at how fast she was learning. The first lesson was how to tread water, followed by a stroke Robin called the Australian crawl. Now they were working on the elementary backstroke.

"Star, you haven't heard the last three things I've said to you." Robin looked up into the sky to see what had grabbed Starfire's interest. The only thing he saw was an osprey performing aerial acrobatics as it chased a sparrow. He was startled when Starfire suddenly flew up out of the water and headed for the Tower. He quickly swam to shore and tore up the sandy spit and across the lawn to her side. He found her on her knees with her head bowed, the sparrow cradled in her hands. He knew that she knew he was there, as the swim and run had left him a little winded, but she didn't turn her head to look at him. Her gaze was fixed on the small bird, and one of her thumbs gently stroked the feathers.

"Robin, what is it?" Raven asked as she came up.

"Is there anything you can do for it?"

"Robin, it's just a small bird."

"Please, Friend Raven," Starfire asked her voice quavering. "I can feel it's heartbeat against my palm, so I know it is still alive. Please try."

Robin watched as Raven looked as though she was about to say no, but changed her mind. Her eyes glowed white, as did her right hand. She reached out with two fingers and the bird was bathed in her healing magic.

"No, Friend Raven, you must help it."

Raven closed her eyes and shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Star. Some things I can fix. It's neck is broken from when it hit the window. There isn't anything I can do."

"Is it in any pain?"

"No, Starfire. It's not."

The three were silent for a few moments, then Starfire seemed to crumble, and Robin saw a tear spatter on her palm beside the sparrow. His throat tightened up when she looked up at him.

"Why?" she asked.

Robin didn't have an answer.