Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans. They belong to DC Comics.

Chapter 2: Near-death Experience

Raven

"Starfire!" Raven gasped as she turned to look for her fallen friend.

"Oh man, that's a lot of blood." Beast Boy breathed.

"She's still breathing." Cyborg said. "Let's get her back to the infirmary."

Raven picked up Starfire and teleported them back to the tower. She carried Starfire to the infirmary and hooked her up to the machines. Starfire's hearts appeared on the monitor, beating furiously, and her breathing was shallow and gurgle-y.

"Come on, Starfire," Raven pleaded with the unconscious girl. "You're strong, you can fight it. Please, you're my closest friend. I can't lose you." Raven put her hands to Starfire's chest and began chanting, "Azarath, Metrion, Xynthos. Azarath, Metrion…" she was trying to heal Starfire, or at least, speed up the healing process.

After some time, she heard Starfire's breathing speed up and her heartbeats slow down. Raven looked at Starfire's face and saw her eyelids twitching. "Come on, Star," she breathed. "Please, wake up." Starfire's eyes gave one more twitch and her eyes opened.

Raven's eyes widened as the pupils began receding into slits. Starfire blinked and the pupils were normal. You're just imagining things, Raven. Raven chastised herself.

She bent down and kissed Starfire's forehead. "How are you feeling, Star?" she asked softly.

Starfire blinked and smiled at Raven, saying, "I am fine, Raven. Thank you for watching over me."

"Um, no problem, Star." Raven blushed slightly. Starfire gazed at her in confusion and asked, "Why do you shorten my name?"

"Huh?" Raven glanced up at the redheaded beauty. "You call me 'Star.' None of the others shorten it, why do you?"

Raven's blush darkened. In truth, she hadn't even noticed the pet name. "It's just a nickname I got into using. Sorry." "No, it is quite alright. I was just wondering." Starfire tried to sit up and promptly fell back onto the pillows.

"You should rest." Raven told her, standing. "I'll go see if I can find you some mustard."

"No," the whisper made Raven freeze. "Could you bring me some milk?"

"Um, sure, S-Star."

Raven hurried to the kitchen and brought out the milk. As she poured it into a tall glass, Raven thought about the new, sultry, almost purr-like, quality she had just heard in her teammate's voice.

No! she scolded herself. You're just a little out of odds because you were afraid she could've died. Get a grip on yourself before something goes wrong. Raven brought the milk back to the infirmary. She found Starfire in a cross-legged position, staring up at the top of the machines.

"Star?" Starfire looked at her and smiled, agilely sliding from the bed and walking over to Raven. She gratefully took the milk and drank it down in two gulps before hugging Raven. "Thank you."

Raven felt a rush of warmth at the taller girl's touch. Raven pulled back and, before she could override the impulse, kissed Starfire on the lips. Raven felt Starfire stiffen, then she felt her arms encircle her body and pull her closer. They kissed passionately for several minutes before they heard hurried footsteps. Starfire sat down on the bed, trying to look calm, while Raven pulled her hood up.

They both glanced up at the door to see a panting Beast Boy.

"Oh my god!" he exclaimed breathlessly. "You're alive… and sitting up!" he rushed at Starfire and wrapped her up in a fierce hug.

"Yes, Beast Boy, I am alive, thanks to a certain violet-haired friend doing a bit of healing magic." Raven blushed a bit more and was glad she had thought of putting up her hood. Beast Boy turned to her, beaming. "Thanks Raven!" he squealed, hugging her lightly. "Uh, no problem." The dark mage replied awkwardly.

"Starfire!" yelled two more male voices from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Robin and Cyborg standing hunched in the doorway. all at once, the boys rushed over to the alien and hugged her furiously. Starfire smiled slightly and allowed it for a moment. When the hug stayed there for more than two minutes, she began to grimace and said, "Robin, Cyborg, if I may ask you something-" the boys pulled back. "Whatever you want Starfire." They said. Starfire shook her head. "You have already done it."

She slowly stood up and stretched. Raven saw the flex of deceptively small muscles rippling beneath the orange tinted skin. Starfire stopped in front of Raven and stared at her.

Raven caught the faint hint of a thought being sent to her so she opened her mind to it. Come meet me in my bedchamber in five minutes. Raven blinked for a second, then nodded to show that she understood.

Starfire turned to the door and continued on down the hall. Raven watched after her, wondering what in Azar's name she could possibly want. Maybe another kiss? Or perhaps a fun night? Or maybe a bit of comfort after that near-death experience? Raven couldn't think of anything and she couldn't wait to meet Starfire.