She had known this was coming. Known it for weeks. Still didn't stop her from being surprised when Robin motioned her aside, his mask furrowed. It would almost be comical if it wasn't so intimidating. She hated to admit it, even to herself, but the boy wonder could be quite frightening when he chose to be. Today was one of those times.

"What are you doing out there Raven? You almost slammed right into Starfire, again. If you're not careful, you could mess up the formation. What if this happened while we're in the field?"

"I know, I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"It better not." Robin ran his fingers through his hair, clearly exasperated.

"You're a good fighter Raven, you're a valuable asset to the team. But lately you've been so, so...distracted." He leaned in closer, and Raven focused in on the line of stubble slowly creeping up Robin's job. She was distracted? Robin barely set aside time to sleep, let alone time to groom himself. But he had a point. She only wished it was easier to explain. If only she herself understood.

"I'll try to be better, I promise." Robin shook his head, a tiny smile forming on his face.

"What?"

"It's nothing. But I trust you. Take some time, sort yourself out, come back to practice when you're ready." He strode back to the team, his cape swishing from side to side. In spite of everything, it made her smile. Maybe she had changed in the past few months, but Robin certainly hadn't.

.~.

"What is wrong, friend Raven?" Starfire floated down to the vacant place on the couch, right next to Raven. The empath looked up from her book, staring Star down. It was crazy, but she had a feeling the alien girl would understand. They weren't human. If anyone could explain what was happening to her, it was Star.

"I-I started my, I guess you would call it, period?"

Silence.

Then more silence.

And yet more silence.

"Star?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know what I mean by period?"

"You are referring to the menstrual cycle, yes?" Ok yes she clearly did know what Raven was talking about.

"Yeah."

"What about it?"

"I've been doing some research, the best I can do, on the subject. It comes later for Azarathian women than it does for human women, but mixed with the demon in me...it creates something else entirely. I've only been able to find one other example of this in recorded history."

"And?"

"It's not good. The pain is severe, crippling even. There's no potion or pill that can cure it. But-"

"What is it?"

"In the case of this girl, what made it finally go away was, was after-"

"Go on."

"Intercourse." Raven spat out the word like an orange seed.

"Surely you jest, friend Raven."

"I wish I was."

There was a silence that hung over the room like a steaming fog. Raven sipped at her lukewarm tea, trying to appear nonchalant.

"It could be worse." Raven nearly choked on her jasmine tea.

"Could be worse?"

"What you call intercourse, it is not so bad. I find it pleasant."

"Star!" The green eyed alien grinned at her, clearly enjoying herself.

"Am I wrong?"

"I wouldn't know, would I? I've only been kissed twice, let alone anything else." Star's eyes widened at this.

"Surely you are joking."

"I'm not."

"I could teach you."

"Star."

"If it would help you, I wouldn't mind."

"I wish it were that simple. But I don't think it will work unless there's a chance that the encounter could produce offspring."

"I see."

"I wish it was something else, anything else, anything but-"

"Do it with Robin." Raven rubbed her ear furiously. She wasn't sure she had heard her right.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"With Robin, you should have the sexual intercourse with Robin."

"You're joking." But Star's face said she was anything but.

"I am not. You care for him, he cares for you. Better your first time is with someone you know and love than a stranger."

"Robin's my friend, I couldn't-"

"He was my friend too and we did it."

"Ok, too much information Star." Starfire shrugged.

"He was very good."

"Definitely do not need to hear that."

"He was very good with his hands, and his-" Raven covered her ears with her hands.

"LALALA I'm not listening!" She peeked up at Star, who was frowning at her, but her mouth had at least stopped moving.

"All I'm saying is, he knows what to do."

"I'm sure he does, but what makes you think he'd want to do any of it with me?" Starfire looked away, a small smile playing on her face.

"Oh friend Raven, surely you have realized by now."

"Realized what?"

"Robin likes you."

"Of course he does, we're friends."

"No, likes you likes you."

"You're kidding me."

"I do not kid, not during girl talk." Raven had to smile at this. There was nothing typical about her and Star's version of girl talk.

"Say what you want to Star, but I'm not convinced. Especially since he's been riding me so hard lately."

"I bet he is." Raven threw a pillow at Star and hit her square in the chest.

"Ok, ok, I walked into that one."

"Yes you did," Starfire giggled. Raven smiled in spite of herself. No matter how much she protested or denied it, there was a part of her that wished, no, hoped, Star was right.

A/N: Went back and revised chapter 1! Enjoy!