Author's Note: Second chapter posted today. Enjoy.

Epilogue

Starfire sighed as she slid her key into the lock of her apartment. It had been a long day, working at the Jump City Library in charge of the foreign languages section, not to mention the two Titan call-outs she's managed to have. It was good that the Library didn't mind her having to leave at short notice, they liked the small celebrity feel which came with having a Titan work for them.

She slipped out of her flats at the door and hung her handbag up on the hangers. "Silkie! I have returned!" she called.

Her larva warbled from her living room and Starfire giggled, floating down the hallway. "Hello my little bumglorf! Have you had the exciting day?"

She loved her new apartment. It suited her perfectly, it was on the top floor, overlooking the park. She had a little balcony all of her own for various plants. A sturdy kitchen, a couch for kissing, not that it had seen any of that (unless Beast Boy and Raven had snuck one in), but it had been used for sitting friends. She had a TV, Cyborg's house warming gift, a potted plant in the corner from Beast Boy and a doily on the wall which Raven had knitted.

What was even better was that if she walked out onto the balcony and stared across the park, she could wave to Raven and Beast Boy in their own shared flat.

It was everything she always wanted. A space of her own far enough away and yet close at the same time.

It had taken time for her body to heal and she would still have the occasional nightmare, but in the few months since Octave, the nightmares became less and less frequent.

Robin hadn't been pleased with her decision to leave the Tower, but he'd understood. Especially when Raven and Beast Boy announced they were moving in together as well. It was time to move on. Grow up. Be an adult.

Forever a Titan, just not so young any more.

Robin was a frequent visitor in her little apartment. Always coming with a smile and a friendly face, sometime even dropping in after he'd run a patrol, just to see her. The change in their friendship which had begun when she was hurt had only continued to grow. She didn't know where it might be heading, and even if it was heading somewhere if she would allow it, but she would cross that bridge when it came. Until then she was content to just let it grow. It was nice having him as a friend again.

She hadn't seen Red X since he'd left that day. He had been true to his word. A clean break is what he'd offered her and a clean break is what he'd given her. It hurt, his decision, but she couldn't find fault in it. He'd done the right thing for him and for Violet and as much as it had pained her, as much as she missed him, she was glad he was honest with her. She hoped they were both getting on well, that Violet was adjusting to life.

She tried calling him on the communicator once or twice, but he never answered.

But sometimes, when she was on patrol, she'd feel him. A presence behind her. A shadow nearby. Never seen, just there.

Or at least, she hoped. Perhaps it was wishful thinking.

"Nicole and I are going dancing tonight," she told her larva as she headed into the kitchen with her shopping. "You remember Nicole, she is the one who likes to give you the belly rub."

Silkie followed her into the kitchen and made a flying leap up onto the bench. Fetching his bowl from the cupboard, she filled it with food and left it there for him to eat. "I have finally convinced Raven to accompany us on the girls night. What do you think I should wear?"

He warbled and waved his hind legs at her, face planting the food.

"The silver dress?" she said, flicking the kettle on to boil, then finished putting the milk in the fridge. "Is it not too revealing?"

Silkie was too busy eating to answer her.

"Perhaps I should invite Raven over and we can get ready together," she said, fetching her mug and a bag of gurkletang leaves. "Do you think I should wash my hair?" She tugged on her pony tail. "I should style it," she decided.

Silkie sat back, burped, then continue to eat.

She bounced up and sat beside him on the kitchen bench so she could scratch his back while she waited for her kettle to boil. "I am excited for these girls nights," Starfire said. "It is most nice going out and meeting new people, although I do not like being hit on, the dancing is most enjoyable."

She sighed and swung her feet, listening to the sound of the kettle. "Ling mentioned again that she believes I should study for a degree in linguistics. I do so much work for the library, work they have not been able to handle on their own. As much as I do not know what that would achieve, I like the idea of studying. It would be my choice. I have never had to decide what I could learn before, it could be a most joyous venture. Perhaps I should ask Raven about-"

The doorbell interrupted her musing and Starfire bounded from the bench. "One moment!" she sang. Grabbing another cup, she placed it on the bench then darted for the door. "Raven, it appears you have read my mind, I was about to-" the words died in her throat as she opened the door.

It wasn't Raven.

He was unmasked, dressed up in nice shirt and jeans and holding a large bunch of roses and smiling at her in an unsure-but-game way. "Hi Star."

Starfire smiled.

Author's Ending Note:

Well, that's all folks.

For your information, when I started this story, I fully intended to kill Starfire, that was the place I was in, but when I got to the moment, things at home had settled a bit (writing is very therapeutic) and I happened upon this particular idea.

Which is so much better, because it's all opened ended. You guys can have whoever you want at the door. It could be anyone (well, except Raven, I guess). I know who I believe it to be.

This was a very interesting exercise, I got a lot out of it. Tried a new style, tried a new ship, found I really liked both.

Thanks guys for coming on this journey and being gracious with my choice of pairings this time around, even if it irks some people.

Thank you for letting me share my imagination with you!

Cheers

Kry

Wait, wait!

FOR PINKU:

The doorbell interrupted her musing and Starfire bounded from the bench. "One moment!" she sang. Grabbing another cup, she placed it on the bench then darted for the door. "Raven, it appears you have read my mind, I was about to-" the words died in her throat as she opened the door.

It wasn't Raven.

They were both unmasked, dressed up in sexy suits and each holding a large bunch of roses and smiling at her in an unsure-but-game way. "Hi Star. Fancy a threesome?"

Starfire smiled.