"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Chapter 1

Every eye in the room was watching her as she sauntered past. She was a figure that demanded authority, even at her height of 5-foot-4. Her icy demeanor and aplomb composure left many in awe and many others intimidated. Yes, Raven Roth was a force to be reckoned with. The sound of her heels clicking against the spotless tile echoed throughout the waiting room as she approached the front desk with more grace than a prima ballerina.

Inside, however, Raven was a nervous wreck. She could feel her fingernails making crescent moon shapes in the palms of her hands. Desperately hoping to regain control she breathed in and out slowly, focusing on calming her irregular breathing pattern. Consciously forcing herself to unclench her tight fists, she instantly tugged at the hem of her black pencil skirt. After brushing away all the invisible lent on her shirt, Raven took a deep breath and stepped up flush to the counter and patiently waited for the woman behind it to finish her phone call. Just a few seconds later, though it seemed like an eternity, the woman placed the phone on the receiver and looked up at Raven with kind eyes.

"Welcome to Jump City General Hospital. How may I help you?" she asked in a motherly voice. Raven glanced at the nametag pinned to the woman's crisp white shirt.

"Hello, Ms. Bridges, my name is Raven Roth," Raven began after clearing her throat. She reached into her purse and pulled out a black folder. It slid across the countertop smoothly. As Ms. Bridges flipped through the folder, Raven spoke up once more, annoyed at her current insecurities. "Today is my first day. I hope I'm not late," she uttered quietly, grimacing at the memory of the traffic and questionable areas her oh-so-reliable GPS had decided was the best and quickest route to the hospital. Noticing her uncomfortable expression, Ms. Bridges handed the young woman her folder and shifted herself to make eye contact with her - the poor dear was so young. Once she locked her hazel eyes with the young woman's amethyst gems, she smiled warmly and gave her the gentlest look she could.

"You're right on time. Come, I will take you back there so you can get acquainted with everyone. Stacy," she announced, motioning to a young blonde girl who was assumingly an intern at the hospital. "Could you be a dear and watch the front desk for me while I introduce our new surgeon to her office and fellow employees?"

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Raven followed Ms. Bridges down the white hallway, in the elevator, and up to the sixth floor of the large hospital. At last they arrived at a spacey and relaxing room, otherwise known as the employee lounge. Their presence was unnoticed until Ms. Bridges cleared her throat loudly. The room was silenced and Raven, once again, found herself self-conscious of all the eyes watching her. Satisfied she had everyone's attention, Ms. Bridges motioned to Raven and introduced her.

"Everyone, this is Raven Roth," she informed. As soon as the words left her mouth, an extremely tall and beautiful woman stepped forward. Her long black hair was in a high ponytail, on her face were large, thick, black-rimmed glasses, and she was dressed in a white lab coat that went down to her knees and light blue scrubs.

"Hello, Miss Roth, my name is Diana Prince[1] and I am the Surgeon-in-Chief here at Jump City General Hospital," the woman greeted, extending her hand. Raven grasped her hand firmly and found herself even more nervous than she was just a few minutes ago. Here was the woman in charge; better make a good impression.

"Hello, Dr. Prince, it is a pleasure to meet you," Raven spoke calmly, reminding herself to breath. Diana smiled at her and Raven couldn't help but feel slightly better.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Would you please accompany me to my office?" she questioned, turning and walking, refusing to take no for an answer…not that Raven was in any position to decline. Giving a wave of thanks to Ms. Bridges, Raven followed the Amazon-like woman just a few doors down to her office. Raven furnished the black folder with all of her information to Diana after they had each taken a seat. While Diana flipped through the material Raven did her best to not feel like a child in the principal's office. Finally, after several minutes of silence, Diana closed the folder and looked at Raven with her blue eyes. "Well, Miss Roth, I must say I am very impressed. You were accepted to Columbia University[2] on a full-ride scholarship and graduated at the top of your class. Not many people can do that," Diana praised. Raven let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. "You have completed your residency training in your hometown of Blüdhaven, New York and you plan to complete your fellowship training in the trauma department[3] here in Jump City, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am," Raven affirmed. Diana once again smiled at her.

"Well, I am very honored to have you on our medical team. I am certain that you will be just fine and will do very well in your training. You will be in the emergency area under the supervision of Dr. Jones," she explained. Suddenly, a beeper emitted a strident noise and Diana quickly stood up. "I do hate to leave but I am scheduled for a vascular surgery on the eighth floor in ten minutes. Let me go find one of our nurses to give you a tour of the facility." Diana walked out of the room and returned just a minute later with a tall redhead behind her. "Miss Roth, this is one of our nursing assistants, Miss Kori Anders. She would be delighted to give you a tour. Again I am terribly sorry for this abrupt departure, but duty calls. It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Roth, and I will check in to see how you are adjusting." Before Raven could reply, Diana was already gone. Raven smiled slightly, pleased that the head surgeon of the hospital seemed to like her. She stood up and found herself face to face with the nursing assistant, Kori. The girl was tall, about 5-foot-11 and thin like a model. She had long, red hair that reached the base of her back, green eyes bright as emeralds, and a smile that could light up the world.

"Hello, Miss Roth! My name is Kori Anders," the girl began, bubbly and cheerful. "I am a nursing assistant located in the emergency sector of the hospital. I would be more than happy to give you a tour," she stated genuinely and Raven couldn't help but feel happier just being around the girl.

"That would be wonderful, Miss Anders," Raven said, offering the girl a small smile. Kori laughed and it was airy and joyful.

"Please just call me Kori. Miss Anders sounds like something my older sister would require people to address her by."

"Well," Raven began, "I will call you Kori - but only if you call me Raven." Kori's smile grew and she extended her tanned hand out. Raven reached out and shook it.

"Deal!" Kori confirmed as she flashed Raven another smile that would make the sun jealous. "Let us begin the tour!"

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The tour of the entire hospital took an hour and a half to complete. Kori was adamant about greeting everyone in all the departments. Raven had met Dr. Hol[4] in the diagnostic and treatment department, Miss Zorel[5] who was interning in the X-ray department, Dr. West[6] in the laboratories, Miss Gage-Radcliffe[7] in the record department, and Dr. Kelly[8] in the discharge center. As they turned a corner, Raven repressed a sigh. Kori was a very sweet girl but Raven didn't know how much more of this she could take.

"…and here is our station!" Kori proclaimed, oblivious to the look of relief that crossed Raven's face. Looking up above her, Raven saw the sign that read 'EMERGENCY' in bold, red print. "Let me take you to Dr. Jones so he can give you your affirmed hours and work schedule." At last they reached Dr. Jones[9] office. Kori knocked on the door and the two waited tolerantly outside. Several minutes later the door opened and startled both woman. In front of them was an African-American man in his mid-forties who radiated intelligence and repose.[10]

"I am sorry to keep you waiting," he spoke in a deep voice. "I was on the telephone setting a meeting with a patient." He looked at Raven and greeted her cordially. "You must be Miss Roth. Please come in. I have your schedule completed and I can answer any questions you may have." They all walked into the office. Raven sat down across from Dr. Jones while Kori stood in the back of the room in hopes of not being a distraction to the others while they discussed the job.

Dr. Jones reached into the top drawer on the left of his desk and pulled out several papers. He plucked the first paper off the pile and passed it to Raven. "This, Miss Roth, is your general schedule for each week. You will work on weekdays only. Your shift begins at one-o-clock Post Meridiem and will end eight hours later at nine-o-clock Post Meridiem. On occasion you may be called in at different times. This is due to changes in schedules or, since you are completing your fellowship training, to observe an emergency we believe could be of beneficial value to your studies. You will be given a nursing assistant to aid you. Since you and Miss Anders seem to be well acquainted and I know she is currently available for the job, she shall be your assistant. Do you have any questions or concerns?" Dr. Jones finished, handing Raven the rest of the papers that consisted of her complete schedule, office numbers of everyone in the hospital, her salary, a hospital calendar, and a map of the hospital.

"No, sir, I have no questions," Raven affirmed.

"Well, Miss Roth, we are all delighted to have you here. Miss Anders shall show you your office and get you all the clothing you will need. After that you may leave if you wish. There is no need for you to start today. Go to your new home and settle in. You have traveled quite a while," Dr. Jones insisted, a tiny smile on his face. "I shall see you Monday. If you have any questions or concerns my door is always open." Raven stood up, preparing to leave.

"Thank you, Dr. Jones," she shook his hand and offered him a small smile in return. She turned and walked out the door, followed by Kori. As the door shut behind them Kori turned to Raven.

"To your office?" she asked. Raven nodded and the two walked just four doors down. Kori opened up the door with a key and Raven observed her new workplace. It was a decent sized room - not too big, but not too small. There was one gray filing cabinet in the left corner, a window on the right wall, a large black and stainless steel desk, a black revolving chair, two black seating chairs, a bookshelf, an examination bed, and a large countertop area with everything a doctor could need.

While Raven walked around and took in her surroundings, Kori went over and to grab Raven's new work clothes. There was a white lab coat that would reach just below her waist, violet colored scrubs, bland white shoes, and a nametag. Once Kori had gathered all of the necessary items, she walked over and gently tapped Raven on the shoulder. "Here are all of your clothing items," Kori explained. "The scrubs and shoes may stay here in your office for you will not need to wear them everyday. Your scrubs are purple because you are only a trainee. Trainees wear these so the doctors are aware of their position and do not accidentally hand over complete control to a trainee. Doctors do occasionally have to leave during a surgery to go to another, more serious, emergency. The only time you will need to wear the scrubs is when you are performing one of the surgeries. Since you are only in training, you will not need them very often; at least not right away. The more you train the more they will let you do so you will probably wear these a lot later on. The white coat and nametag you will need to wear at all times unless you are performing surgery. However, you will need to always be prepared to change into your scrubs. You never know when something may come up."[11]

"Thank you, Kori. You have been wonderful," Raven said honestly. Kori smiled brilliantly and pulled Raven in for a hug. Raven stiffened at the sudden contact but slowly relaxed and lightly hugged her in return.

"You are most welcome, Raven. I am very happy to be your assistant! Maybe you and I could take our lunch together!" Kori exclaimed.

"I would like that very much," Raven said quietly. Secretly she was astonished to be welcomed this warmly. Catching sight of the clock pulled Raven from her thoughts and she quickly collected all of her items. "I should get going. My parents are expecting a call this evening and I haven't even seen my apartment yet." As she walked to the door, she looked back at Kori. "Thank you again, Kori. I too look forward to working with you."

"Oh, Raven, please quit saying thank you! I did nothing. Now go find your home and call your parents. They must be worried if they have not heard from you yet!" Kori ordered. "Travel safely!"

"I will do my best. Goodbye, Kori," Raven said as she departed.

"Goodbye, Raven! I shall see you Monday!"

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Her ride to her apartment went much better than her ride to the hospital. There were no outlandish areas, pointless turns, bad traffic, or sudden recalculations. Jump City, California was a pretty little town on the harbor. It reminded Raven a lot of her hometown Blüdhaven.[12]

The apartment area was in a nice part of town. Across the street was a gas station, a convenience store, and a Dunkin' Donuts. The complex itself was large. It was five stories high and probably held ten rooms on each floor. It was composed of dark red bricks and cream colored vinyl. Everything looked clean and well kept. Out front was a nice garden full of beautiful purples, blues, and whites. Behind the building Raven could hear squeals of laughter followed by multiple splashes. Apparently it had a pool as well.

She walked through the front doors and was pleased with how nice it was inside as well. Clean floors, a lovely paint color, elegant paintings, and gorgeous furniture. Going up to the desk, Raven handed the man her paperwork and her first month's rent. He double checked everything in the computer and gave her the keys to her room on the third floor and a paper full of any further information.

After the bellman had helped her get all of her things to her room, she sat down in one of the chairs, far too tired to observe her room. Today was a very long day. She had gotten up at seven this morning, arrived at the airport at eight, got on the plane at nine, took an almost six hour long flight to California, had to figure out the time change difference, got lost trying to find the hospital, took her two hour long tour with Kori, found her apartment, and brought all of her stuff up to her room.

Sadly, rest was not meant for her. Her cell phone rang loudly and she jumped up to answer it, hoping not to disturb anyone in the rooms next door.

"This is Raven Roth," Raven spoke in greeting.

"Hello, Raven Roth," a familiar voice replied. "This is your mother." Raven smiled, glad to hear her mother's voice again…even though she just heard it this morning at seven.

"Hi, Mom. How are you?" Raven asked, taking her seat once again.

"I'm good. Worried. How was your trip?" Angela asked as any mother would.

"It was decent. There were no complications, but flying is just too much of a hassle. I thought I was going to get strip searched by TSA.[13] They nearly had a heart attack when they found I had a stethoscope in a case. I told them about it before the scanner, they said it was fine, then when it went through the scanner they flipped out and started asking me pointless questions," Raven said. Angela let out a small laugh.

"Well you can't expect much. Security has become very strict in the last decade," she replied. "What about your job? Did you go in today? Meet anyone?"

"Yes, I went to the hospital today. I met our Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Prince, my boss Dr. Jones, my assistant Kori Anders, and I briefly met all the other doctors on my tour of the facility. Everyone was very nice. Kori was especially helpful," Raven told her mother, praying that the conversation wouldn't go in the direction it was currently going. There was silence on Angela's end for a moment.

"Do you believe you will like it there?" Angela asked, her voice quiet and somber.

"Well I have only been here for a few hours, but yes, I do believe I will like it here," Raven admitted. Her mother let out an exasperated sigh and it took all Raven had to not go jump out of her third story window.

"I do not understand how you can be happy there and not here," Angela spoke, her voice laced with hurt.

"Mom, please," Raven started. "We are not having this argument again. I've been telling you for years now that I wanted to do something different. I am tired of Blüdhaven. It is crime filled. My work would never be appreciated there and I would never improve my skills there."

"That's not a good enough reason for you to just pack up and leave everything you've ever known behind!" Angela replied, her voice rising. Raven could hear her breathing heavily through the phone. Slowly the breathing began sounding normal again. "Sweetheart, your father and I are scared. We do not understand why you felt it necessary to leave. And of all places to go, you went to the other side of the country!" Raven's pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation.

"What exactly do you want, Mother?" she spoke through gritted teeth.

"I want you to give me one good - and I mean really good - reason you have to work in Jump City," Angela confirmed. Raven groaned and began to speak, only to be interrupted by her mother. "Raven, your father and I love you so much. You are our world. I am going to drop this for now, but I will bring it up again. I would like to understand your decision because right now it has me confused. Right now, however, I am tired and you must be tired. Go to sleep and rest up. I love you," her mother explained, knowing that the conversation was not going anywhere. "Goodnight, dear." Raven sighed and rubbed her temples.

"I love you, too. Goodnight," Raven said and waited for her mother to hang up before closing her phone. She stayed there in the chair, just thinking. Her mother would never think any of her reasons were good enough. She really didn't have a reason, to be perfectly honest. When she was looking for open jobs on the Internet, she accidentally stumbled upon the one in Jump City. When she read the description, she knew it was perfect. But her mother wouldn't understand that.

Groaning, Raven stood up and changed into a comfortable pair of pajamas. Looking down at herself, Raven was glad she had brought a cooler pair than the ones she normally wore back home. California was a completely different climate than New York. Laying down on her bed, Raven cursed the sun that streamed in through the window and cursed herself for choosing to live in a state with a three hour time difference than the one she had lived in her entire life. The words of her mother echoed inside her head. "I want you to give me one good - and I mean really good - reason you have to work in Jump City." Holding a pillow over her face, Raven stifled the impulse to scream. Between the sun, time change, and her forever running brain, Raven knew she was in for a long night.

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AN: Well, that was the longest chapter I have ever written for anything. I didn't intend for it to be this long, but you know how some stories are - they need a lot of explanation if it is going to make sense and this is one of those stories. Anyway, I got this idea while watching The Proposal. Trust me though, it is going to be a whole lot different. Every chapter of this story is planned…like everything is planned out. Total chapter (when completed) = 43. 43 freakin' chapters! This is going to take me, like, three years. I am going to really try to get it done in a year. I just need to be diligent and not procrastinate. (I am the queen of procrastination so we will just see how this works out.) I was going to wait to write this, but my story Prodigal Son is just too angst-y. So I am using this Romance/Humor story to balance out my Angst/Action story. Anyway, I will quit ranting and get to the notes I left.

[1]- Diana Prince is the alias of Wonder Woman. I chose Wonder Woman because she posses the healing factor. She will not be very integral in this story…at least I don't think she will be.

[2]- Columbia University is in New York City, New York. I chose that college for two reasons: 1) It is highly ranked in medical schools and 2) I have always imagined Blüdhaven's location to be near water so I pretended Blüdhaven was Yonkers, New York. Yonkers is on the water and only thirty minutes from Columbia University.

[3]- Medical training is confusing. I did my best to understand what I could find. Apparently you graduate from college, complete a residency training, and, if you are planning on being a practitioner, complete a fellowship training.

[4]- Dr. Hol is Hawkwoman. (Her name is Shayera Hol.) She also possesses the healing factor. She will not be very important.

[5]- Miss Zorel is Supergirl. (Her name is Kara Zor-el.) She also possesses the healing factor. She will not be very important.

[6]- Dr. West is the Flash. (His name is Wally West.) He also possesses the healing factor. He may be important…I haven't decided yet.

[7]- Miss Gage-Radcliffe is Charlotte (or Charlie) Gage-Radcliffe. In DC Comics she is the heroine Misfit. I don't know much about her but she does possess the healing factor. She will not be very important.

[8]- Dr. Kelly is Nicholas Kelly. He is the superhero Argus. I do not know much about him but he does possess the healing factor. He will not be very important.

[9]- Dr. Jones is Martian Manhunter. (His human alias is John Jones.) He possesses the healing factor and is one of the most intelligent members of the Justice League. He may be important…I haven't decided yet.

[10]- Even though Martian Manhunter is usually portrayed as a tall, young Caucasian man, in Smallville and Young Justice he has been portrayed as an average height, middle-aged African-American man. I decided to go with this version of him since it is the most recent.

[11]- I am not sure if any of what Kori said is accurate. Frankly, I don't care. It sounds decent enough so I am just going to leave it like it is.

[12]- I chose Raven's hometown to be Blüdhaven because if she was from Gotham it would complicate my story sooooooooo much. I needed her in New York but not in Gotham so I decided Blüdhaven would have to do.

[13]- TSA is the security at airports.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed! Constructive criticism appreciated!

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, any of the other DC Comics characters mentioned, or Dunkin' Donuts.