Chapter 1

AN: This story is meant to take place about two years after my previous story, Lilacs and Candle Smoke. It does not necessarily draw on that story or relate directly to it, but later in the story references will be made that would be better understood if you have read that story first. Thank you.

No one could deny it anymore, he had an addiction. Bumblebee had tried talking to him but he blew her off saying it wasn't a big deal, it was recreational and his own business. She didn't like it and she took every opportunity to try to get him to stop but so far it hadn't helped at all.

It had started off as no big deal, at first no one even knew. He almost seemed happier more relaxed. He was still himself he hadn't changed. But slowly he started to act differently, he was moody, and he had fits of anger and grief. Then he got a little wilder, his nights off became a trash magazine's dream come true, bar fights, partying, public outbursts. His team didn't know what was going on or how to help; every time they tried to talk to him about it he just ignored them or told them to mind their own business.

It wasn't until Titans West came to have another Video Game Tournament that they all found out what was really going on and how bad it had gotten. Cyborg, Beast Boy, Aqualad, Mas and Menos all took their places around the T.V. shouting out how much better they were than each other and arguing about the gaming order; Bumblebee and Robin were sitting at the dining table discussing the security systems of their respective towers. Starfire was in the kitchen making something only she would be willing to eat, Raven was in a corner reading a rather large book, and Speedy was nowhere in sight.

The boys had finally decided who would go first when a loud thud was heard; everyone turned to the sound and found Raven's large book on the ground with her standing above it looking paler than usual, she stared straight ahead as if she were looking at something, but nothing was there. Whatever she was seeing it seemed to scare her.

"Raven, what's wrong?" asked Robin cautiously reaching a hand out as he slowly walked towards her.

Raven just stood there for a moment not moving or saying anything, Robin reached out to her ever so carefully and as he placed a hand on each of her shoulders she looked up at him as if his physical contact had brought her back from where ever she had just been, her eyes lit up with a white glow and a look of sadness crossed over her face as she whispered "Speedy." and lost consciousness.

Robin caught her in his arms just before she hit the ground; he held her close as he shouted orders to the other Titans to search for Speedy. It was clear that none of the Titans West team wanted to leave Raven but they did as they were told, Titans East were just as concerned, but knowing that Raven was an empath they were also concerned about Speedy.

"It's ok Raven, I'm right here; I'm not going to leave you. You're going to be fine, the team will find Speedy and he will be fine, everything is going to be fine."

Robin held Raven close to him as he rocked her back and forth stroking her violet hair. He was overcome by a familiar feeling of helplessness, when he had held her after her father had turned her into a seven year old version of herself and again when he had held her after she lost everything she had loved, all he wanted to do was save her from whatever it was that threatened her.