To say that I knew the exact moment when our forbidden friendship started would be a lie. If anyone were to ask, I wouldn't have and answer - I could only reply with "chance". Though, I do remember the first time I saw him; I had just moved to the city and got a job at the local hospital as a receptionist. The night I saw him, I was on my lunch break with a few coworkers when, suddenly the television in the corner of the break room flashed with emergency news - there had been a robbery just south of Bludhaven at the local bank. The robbers were dubbed as 'metas' by the news reporter.

"Hey, Trisha," she turned towards her name, "what do they mean be 'meta'?" I questioned. Everyone turned toward me with perplexed faces. Trisha was the one to reply to me.

"You don't know what a meta-human is?" I shook my head no.

"Sara, I know you're new to the city, but have you been living under a rock? Meta-humans are those with powers like," she pointed to the TV, "that robber right there. He has the ability to shoot some sort of beam from his hands. What? Next, you are going to tell me you don't know about Batman and company." I suppose the look on my face gave away my answer.

"Trisha, leave the girl alone. Sara told us when she moved here, she used to live off-the-grid. Right, Sara?" one of my other coworkers, James, asked.

"That's right. I didn't grow up with all of the technological advances you all did; and I just kept to myself growing up. Ever since moving here, have I heard of Batman, Superman, and others, but it was all in passing conversations that never really stuck with me" I spoke as I picked up my now lukewarm coffee.

"Well, girl, I'd say you were missing out," Julie was next to speak, "because once you see that, you'd never want to forget" she pointed to the TV and I could see a younger man clad in all black with a brilliant blue marking on his chest. I read the headlines that went along with it.

"Nightwing?" I questioned.

"Yes! Sara, you've definitely been M.I.A. if you've never seen that hunk! I mean, they must be so chiseled." Julie seemed to go into a trace, watching the TV intensely. We all laughed and continued to finish our break.

The next few meetings were just as the first. It wasn't until a few months had passed that I had a more hands-on meeting.

I finally had a complete week off of work since moving to the city; though, I had no idea what to do with it! I was already unpacked and completely moved in. I wasted the first few days just laying in bed doing absolutely nothing productive with my life. I believe it was the fourth day in bed that I decided to be a productive member of society and venture out into the city of Bludhaven. I admit that it wasn't the nicest area in which I lived in, but it suited my needs just fine – I had a roof over my head, food in my belly, and shoes on my feet. However, the most important aspect of my life was that I was free of the tyranny that previously controlled my life.

I thought no more of that as I strolled the sidewalks that lined the streets of the city. I mentally took note of all the shops that I wanted to visit in the future. My pseudo retail therapy was cut short as myself and about fifty others were caught in the crossfire between Bludhaven's very own Nightwing and Blockbuster. They were at each other's throats and we only started to feel fear as ammunition was soon soaring through the thick air. All hell then broke loose as everyone ran for their lives, except for myself who stood frozen. The two battling inched closer and closer, but my body refused to move. It wouldn't even move when a few rounds were fired in my direct path. I thought that this was my end and I was strangely alright with that because I knew I wouldn't have to run anymore…All of that came to a screeching halt as the black-clad man tackled me onto the solid ground. I could hear the rounds, that were meant for me, hit the brick wall I was now laying in front of.

"Dammit!" the man laying on top of me exhumed. He watched from the pavement as Blockbuster drove away. I watched as he got off of me and spoke into some sort of communication device. I started to sit up when my eyes met a gloved hand.

"Here, let me help you," I took his offer and he lifted me with ease.

"Thank you," he truly was my hero today, "You saved me." All he did was smile and nod as he ran off, away from the scene. He bounded up and over the buildings until he was out of sight.

I waited with the others that were witnesses and we all took turns giving our own accounts to the police. That's how my day ended – I saw no reason to continue the rest of the day and just headed home.

By the time I returned home, the sun had almost set. The climb to my apartment seemed almost too surreal as I recounted the day's events; I thought I had left all chaos behind. I unlocked the front door and stepped through its threshold. Closing the door behind me, I took a good, hard look at the place I've called home for the past few months. It was a small one-bedroom apartment on the fourth and final floor of the building. If someone were to visit, they'd think I was a minimalist. The truth was, I didn't own much – the apartment was already furnished, and when I moved in, I only had the clothes on my back and a small knapsack with a few personal belongings.

A trail of clothing and a pair of shoes were made as I disrobed while I made my way to the bathroom. By the time I reached the bathroom, I was bare as the day I was born. The shower washed away all the grime and laid on my porcelain skin; it wasn't until the water reached my arms that I realized that they were marked with road rash. With a delicate touch, the rocks and gravel were removed from my flesh. I suppose the shock of the event freed me from the pain of the injury. With a clean body and wounds, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel, and went on to dress my arms in bandages. Working in the hospital, I picked up some fist aid advice, though, my previous history helped as well.

It was only a few moments of me relaxing when I heard a soft tap on my living room window. I thought nothing of it, thinking it was maybe a bird pecking at the glass. The tapping continued for several moments and that's when I lost my temper.

"Damn bird, just shoo away," I walked towards the window to see nothing at all. "What the hell?" I ended up opening the window and poking my head out onto the fire escape.

"I mean, I only came to check on you, but I can leave if that's what you want," I yelped in surprise. Jumping, I hit the back of my head on the windowsill.

"Ow, ow, ow!" I grabbed the back of my skull.

"Oh, jeez, are you alright?" I turned towards the mysterious voice, and my eyes widened as I looked upon the same man who saved me from the bullets.

"It's you," my demeanor changed, "yes, I am alright thanks to you."

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You startled me by not running away today. Most people run away from the danger." The one called Nightwing kneeled down to be eye-level with me.

"You don't run," I stated blankly. All he did was chuckle in response, "but I suppose that's your job." Our eyes stayed glued together as he stood back up.

"If you are mostly well, then I'll be on my way."

"Take care then," I smiled as he took his signature leave of building bounding.

Our meetings become a pattern. At first, he would just visit once a month, then once every other week, and then I saw the masked vigilante almost every day. In the beginning, he would just make sure that I was healing nicely. He was surprised that I was healing quickly from his tackle. His monthly and weekly return always received a comedic backlash from me – always telling him that I wasn't apart of his job requirements. At first, Nightwing laid down some ground rules. He said that our meetings had to remain a secret, which I though was just common curtesy. Not even my coworker, Julie, could make me talk; keeping quiet with her was quite difficult because, that day after the Nightwing incident, she bothered me for weeks about the details! That was practically the only rule he had, one of which I understood completely. He had the mask for a reason, and I could relate to the whole idea of hiding.

I was on my way home from a shift, in desperate need of a hot shower, when I heard some yelling coming from one of the alley ways.

"You freak!" Curiosity got the better of me and I followed the tainted words into the dark alley way. The scene before me disgusted me – one of the city's gangs were beating up a kid.

"Hey, you!" my voice carried towards them. They paused mid-beating and looked at me. Shit. One of them made their way to me.
"Well, hello there, did you come to join us in the fun?" That made my blood boil.
"Fun? Fun?! You think this is fun?! What the fuck is wrong with you?" I walked past all of them and stood in front of the kid – separating them.
"Awe, she's got a backbone, ain't that cute?" I closed my eyes to concentrate and re-opened them only to see the gang step back.
"You will all leave and will never touch this boy again. Do I make myself clear?" They nodded, pivoted and walked away without a word or glance back. I shook my head to regain my vision and I turned to the boy. He was crying.
"Hey, it's okay. They're gone now and won't ever come back," I kneeled down to his level. "I'm Sara Raymond," I stuck out my hand. He flinched. I pulled back. "May I sit?' he nodded and faced me, I got a better look at him. He had green hair, skin, and eyes. He had monkey-like features.
"M'names Beast Boy," he said shaking. I smiled and grabbed a tissue out of my purse. I stated to wipe the grime and tears from his face.
"Did they do all of this to you? I asked, still wiping his face. He sniffled.
"Not all of it, I was on a mission."
"Hmmm" I started to think. Standing up, I patted the dirt from my butt.
"Where are you going?" he sounded panicky. I smiled and held out my hand.
"Don't worry; I wasn't planning on leaving without you"

This time, he grabbed my hand.

"This is it" I looked up at the desolate building. We walked towards the back entrance. We got to the door and I played with the lock.
"Um, Sara, isn't this a crime? 'Cause I'm a guy who's against crimes, just saying" I laughed.
"Don't worry, I live here and besides I should have clothes for you to wear" I opened the door and walked inside, Beast Boy right behind me.

I picked out a hoodie and a pair of sweats and handed them to Beast Boy.
"Here you go, bud," we laughed "The bathroom is to your right" I pointed in the direction and watched as he left.

'Why is she being so nice to me?' Beast Boy thought. Shrugging the thought off, he changed out of his torn clothes.

Beast Boy found Sara sitting a small table, sipping a mug of something. He sat across from her.
"Here," she said, forcing the mug to his side of the table. Beast Boy gave it a questioning look. "It's tea. It'll warm you up". He trusted her and took a puny sip. It was really good! Beast Boy gulped it down being careful not to burn myself.
"It's sweet, isn't it?" I asked and he nodded in agreement. Beast Boy watched as I placed my mug down and looked around the room. My eyes lit up when my gaze reached the far-left corner.
"Lemme see your outfit," Beast Boy handed over his uniform. I walked over to the corner to another small table that contained a sewing machine.
"You know you don't have to do that. My sis can fix it," Beast Boy spoke.
"Don't worry, it's no problem at all. It'll be done in a jiffy." We sat in silence, listening to the hums and murmurs of the machine. We made small talk as I worked on his suit.

"So, you are obviously a meta-human, why didn't you fight back?" I questioned. Beast Boy remained quiet for some time.

"To be honest, I didn't have enough energy in me to even transform and escape. I was just coming back from a solo mission and I'm just drained."

"Well, at least now you can relax for a little bit and regain some of that energy of yours," I smiled and continued to sew away. "Done, good as new!" I held it up, examining my work. Impressed with it, I handed it to Beast Boy.
"Wow! Thanks!"
"You know, it's almost midnight. Your friends must be worried." I sighed.
"Yea, I know they are, but I…I'm scared – scared to leave" Beast Boy replied. I stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I want you to know, Beast Boy, not all humans are like that. Those that can see your humanity and generosity to protect this world are out there. You don't owe this world anything. Nobody does. Though, you all go out there and risk your lives to protect the ones that can't. Now, that's what I call a real hero." All he did was smile. "Is there anyone you can call? Your sister, maybe?"
"No," is all he replied.
"Hmm…how about I walk you to the farthest point that I can? Sound good?" That did sound good to him.
"Okay"

We locked up and walked for a good thirty minutes. Beast Boy stepped in front of me – preventing me front continuing any farther.
"Here we are," he said.
"Well, here you are," I said while handing him a bag full of his clothes. We smiled.
"Okay, now don't be a stranger, okay?" I winked. I really enjoyed his presence.
"Okay."
"If you ever need me, just stop by and you'll probably find me there."
"Noted," he gave me a hug and I hugged back
"See ya, kiddo."