This is not one of my better stories. I took part of what was supposed to be in this one and made two new stories out of it--one of which I have already posted (Love Will Keep Us Alive)--which in my opinion left this one lacking in the end. My cousin who saw the plans for what was left of this story wanted to know what happened-so here it is.
The End is Only a New Beginning
Raven had been gone for over a week visiting the Tyke Titans. Everyone is worried about her because she should have come home last night. It is nearing midnight now and no one has Seen Raven yet. She is not answering her communicator. Robin passes by her room as he attempts to contact the teen sorceress again. He stops in front of her door as he hears a communicator beeping. He knocks on the door but there is no answer. He has a bad feeling so he enters the forbidden room in search of Raven. He finds her unconscious on the floor near her window. He rushes over to her and lifts her up into his arms. Her leotard and cloak are covered in dried vomit. He doesn't need to remove his glove and feel her forehead to know that she is burning up. When a rash on her exposed neck catches his attention he is sure he knows what's wrong with her but he rushes her up to the infirmary to run tests. He lays Raven down on one of the beds and gathers the equipment he needs to take a throat culture. As he opens her mouth he finds a white coating with red spots covering her tongue. He knows what he feared earlier to be true but he takes the throat culture anyway. She moans as he does so but does not awaken. He knows how sore her throat must be right now. He gets a thermometer and takes her temperature. He cringes at the reading 105.3°F. As he waits for the tests from the throat culture he looks up the medical records of Cyborg and Beast Boy. They haven't been exposed to what Raven has and being alien he knows that Starfire has not had it but she could catch it as well. He locks down the infirmary with the Quarantine Protocol when the results are ready to keep the others out. He goes over the results that confirms what he knew as he contacts the other Titans.
Three very sleepy Titans gather around the monitors in OPS.
"Dude its late why aren't you in bed?" Beast Boy follows his question with a yawn.
"I thought you might want to know that I found Raven."
"Oh joyous! Where is she?"
"I brought her to the infirmary. She's very sick."
"Raven never gets sick. What's wrong with her?" Beast Boy snaps awake now.
"Scarlet Fever."
"Are you sure Robin?"
"I've had it before. I know the signs, Cyborg. Rash, sore throat, fever, strawberry tongue. I locked down the infirmary. I don't want the rest of you exposed. I'll take care of Raven. I want you to get in touch with Jinx and Kid Flash. You three may need their help."
"Raven will be okay...yes?"
Cyborg places his hand on Starfire's shoulder. "She should be fine in a few weeks."
"Weeks?"
Robin looks over some information he has pulled up on Scarlet Fever. "She already has a rash that means she was exposed two days ago at the least."
Cyborg pulls up the same information on his arm display. "Or as long as five."
"Cyborg contact the monks and have them make sure the Tyke Titans haven't been exposed. Beast Boy contact Kid Flash and Jinx. Starfire, I need you to stay there for a while."
Cyborg leads Beast Boy away to the mainframe room.
Starfire stands there nervously. "What do you need me to do Robin?"
"I need to get Raven cleaned up and prepped. I need you to witness that is all I' m doing."
"I can do that for you."
"No Starfire. You might get sick too and you're alien-there is no telling how you would react to this."
"I understand. But what about you?"
"I had it as a child. Don't worry, I'll be okay." Robin gets a hospital type gown to dress Raven in. He also brings over the laundry bag to put Raven's clothes in. He gets a basin of water and a wash cloth and finally gets stuff to set up an I. V. and catheter.
Starfire watches as Robin removes Raven's soiled clothes.
Robin is startled by the two thick deep scars on Raven's back. He looks up at the monitor as he hears Starfire gasp. He knows she cannot see the scars from the camera angle. "What is it Star?"
"Raven...Robin she is..."
Robin glances at the rash covering most of Raven's chest and abdomen. "It's okay Star—it's just a rash—that's why it's called Scarlet Fever." Robin cleans Raven up with the wet washcloth before dressing her in the hospital gown. He removes the soiled bra as well now that the gown is on so he doesn't see anymore than he has to. He gets some alcohol now and cleans off the back of Raven's right hand once he finds a spot for the I. V. He also puts antibiotics into the I. V. drip and places sensors on her to monitor her vital signs. There is just one thing left he needs Starfire to witness. "I have to set her up a catheter, once I'm done you can go get some rest."
Starfire merely nods. She watches as a very uncomfortable Robin places the catheter for Raven. She remains quiet until he is finished. "Robin?"
"Yes Star?"
"Why can Raven not heal herself now, like when she is hurt?"
Robin looks over at the monitor then back Raven. "I don't think her healing powers work that way. She heals injuries-not illnesses."
"I am scared for her Robin. Beast Boy was right—she never gets sick."
"Don't worry Star. I'll take good care of her."
"She is the closest to a best friend who is a girl that I have ever had."
"Raven is too stubborn to give into something like Scarlet Fever. She is an empath the best thing you can do for her right now is think positive."
"Yes. You are right Robin."
"And get some rest okay?"
"I shall try."
As Starfire leaves to go rest Robin thinks back to the scars he saw on Raven's back. He wonders what hurt Raven bad enough to make those wounds. It must have been bad for her healing powers not to heal her completely. He sits down by the bed and takes hold of her left hand. She moans as he brushes some stray hair out of her face-his finger brushing her chakra stone as he does so. He knows just how bad she feels right now. He gets up to get some pain medicine for her to help her rest-puts it in the I. V. drip as well. With her fever so high he needs to keep her hydrated but that isn't going to be easy if she doesn't wake up. He gets some water and lifts her up in his arms. He tries to get her to drink some but she only spits most of it out. He can only hope the I. V. is going to be enough to keep her hydrated.