The nurse lead me along the hall. As we walked my stomach began to churn. As I got closer I could see many cords and wire connected to her. The lump in my throat getting larger with every step I took.
"Gar!" came a voice. I turned to the right to see Cyborg sitting on a chair right outside of Raven's room.
"Vic?" I stated noticing he was using our real names.
"Let me go talk to the doctor just a moment please." the nurse insisted then excused herself.
"What happened?" I asked breathless. I could tell that Cy had been upset. The right side of his face the human side bore all the emotion. He had been crying. I looked him over noticing that most of his metal parts were dented and scratched. His chest plate had a black ring that looked like a burn mark.
"We were attacked. There was no witness, and Slade had planned for the whole team not just two off us." Cy muttered looking down at his palms. "We were outnumbered." I couldn't help but feel like all the air was being sucked out of the room as I continued to listen.
"Raven, man that girl, she devoted. I hate to admit it but I was ready to give up but she just kept fighting, taking out Slade's robots one by one. One of the robots got a jump on me and I was knocked out cold. I woke up to them trying to burn a hole into my chest plate. I don't know what they were doing or what they were looking for but I'm so glad that decided to upgrade the metal on this." He commented knocking on his chest plate.
"And? Raven? She just kept fighting?" I questioned waiting for him to get on with the story was torture.
"I woke up, and the strong, brave, fearless girl, was on the ground. Robot's all around her..." Cy said in hush tone. I stared at him wide eyed. His mouth twisted as he fought to continue. "I.." He stopped as his eye filled up with tears. "I promised to keep her safe, I'm so sorry B." He hung his head. My heart breaking all over again I reached out and rested my hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you." I whispered. His head snapped up as he heard my comment. "Thank you for bringing her here." I continued. His eyes peered up at me.
"I had to." He replied. "She wasn't breathing." I took in the sharp breath my heart skipping a beat.
-
"Alright Mr. Logan I told the doctor that you were waiting he's just finishing up then you can go in." The nurse replied. I have her a slight nod gazing at Raven. Cyborg sighed as he watched her leave.
"I'm surprised they let you even back here." he commented. "What cha do? Threaten the nurse?" I small smile crept on my face.
"Oh they weren't going to keep me out. Even if I had to turn in mouse I was coming in. Did they give you the family only speech too?" I asked, I had turned my attention on the doctor who was studying a clip board. I heard Cy scoff then answered,
"Oh yeah well, I have all her medical files stored in here so that helped, but I'm her brother! I mean come on the resemblance is uncanny!" It was good to hear him on a more lighter note. Cyborg was like me we, both weren't good at being sad.
"Right I've always seen it." I replied smiling at him. He nodded his head then a frown formed on his face. Almost as if he remembered where he was.
"You on the other hand... No way they believed that your a brother." I folded my arms slightly disgusted with the idea of being a brother figure to Raven.
"Oh I didn't even try that." I noticed the doctor checking a machine then writing something. He turned then looked up at me. This made my breath quicken in my chest hoping he was finally done. "I'm the fiancé." I breathed. I could feel Cyborg's stares but I didn't acknowledge them. The doctor began walking towards us.
"Mr. Logan?" He greeted. I stood up straight reaching my hand out to him.
"Yes I'm Mr. Logan." I replied. He shook my hand Trying to read his face. He must be great at poker because I couldn't read him at all.
"I'm Doctor Lennox I'll be Rachel's doctor for the time being." I looked at Cyborg reminding myself to give him crap about the name.
"Jane, told me that you were waiting, can I fill you in on the status of your fiancée?" He asked I took in a breath finally someone was actually going to give me some sort of information. I nodded and waited for him to continue.
"So other than the root of the problem she is actually doing well, her blood pressure is leveled. We didn't need to give her a blood transfusion which is very positive since finding a donor to match her unique blood work would have been quite a challenged. Her brain waves are normal. We stitched up the wound on her head, and looked for any other injuries." He explained Cyborg nodded listening to his every word while I only caught bits and pieces.
"I want to do an X-ray as soon as possible but first we have to keep her heart steady."
"Her heart?" I asked.
"Yes sir, her heart sustained the full impact of the attack. We have had to restart it twice now. We have to keep her down in this area until her EKG levels are up where they need to be." he remarked. I nodded slightly not understanding at all.
"Why does her heart keep stopping?" I asked
"From what I understand she was electrocuted-" He paused hearing me gasp. "and if not for the fact that she is only half human I doubt she even be alive right now." I had turned my gaze to her as he said this.
"So she'll be okay right?" I begged my voice cracking slightly.
"I know how hard it must be for you, but unfortunately I'm not one to give false hope. I told you that her body is doing well, and although she is stabled right now, I don't know if her heart will make it." he remarked. I began shaking my head. This is was turning from a bad horrible dream, to just pure hell. All of it. Maybe I had died at this was actually some sort of Hell.
"No.. No." I began to cried out loud. I could feel Cyborg hand on my shoulder as I my body shook. "You're wrong she's a fighter she going to make it. She has to." I spat at the doctor. He showed no expression on his face as he obviously was use to these kind of reactions.
"Son, it honestly up to her now. We are doing all we can, and she is in the best possible hands." I looked all around me as I felt the floor spin from under me. I suddenly remembered why I hated doctors and hospitals. Doctors aren't understanding at all. This Dr. Lennox guy had no idea who Raven was. He had no idea how many times she fought bad guys and was hurt. He didn't care about her like the team did. He didn't know her like I did.
My animal senses were on over drive as I suddenly could smell every tiny thing. Blood and everything else that the human body produced. Not only that but I could smell ammonia that was used to mop the floors. I had ignored it at first but it had suddenly become intolerable. My stomach was near the end of it's last leg and I began to feel my gag reflex kicking in. I turned around searching for a trash can. Seeing one I made dash for it and began to gag up bile and stomach acid.
"Maybe someone could get him a glass of water." I heard Cyborg say. I spit the terrible taste out of my mouth as my body began to tremble.
"He's looks flushed. He needs to sit down." Dr. Lennox advised.
"I'm fine." I bit at him wiping my mouth with back of my hand. Then I strode passed him into her room.
-
The first thing that I noticed was the nasty gash. It stared from top of her hair line, then curved down the right side of her forehead, and ended in the middle of her eyebrow. My eyes could only focus on that. There had to be at least 50 stitches in it. I took two steps towards her slowly. Almost scared that if I got too close she break like a china doll. Her hair was matted with dirt and dried blood. My stomach lurched threatening to make an appearance again. 'God could they not have cleaned her up a bit?' I thought angrily.
After I finally got pass her hair and wound I began to noticed the other obvious things. First off her cloak was missing. I looked around the room but I didn't see it. Her belt that hung around her hips was also gone. Her leotard was in complete shambles,ripped and torn in multiple places. The right side of her sleeve was torn off, I could see a dark blue bruise on her arm. That was just one of many bruises that I could see. Her legs seemed to be littered with them. I finally forced myself to take more steps towards her until I was right next her bed.
The left side of her chest was slightly exposed as I could see were the Sladebots had electrocuted her. The fabric had been burnt leaving a hole the size of a grapefruit. Underneath the burnt hole instead of her perfect flawless skin was the burn mark. It was just black. There was small little pieces of flesh that had been burned so bad they had separated. I couldn't stop the tears as they sprung from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. The second day in a row that I would be crying because of her, and yet I had wish they were angry tears like ones last night. The feeling I had now was ten times worst.
"What did they do to you Rae?" I whimpered. My chest heaved as I struggled to breath the hot tears blurring my vision. I covered my eyes with my hand. Finally I shook my head and wiped the tears off my face. My hand shook as I reached out to touch her's. Grasping her hand it felt so cold against mine. I noticed the blanket folded at the bottom of the bed. Cursing the damn nurses for not taking better care of her, I hastily grabbed the blanket and covered her body up.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you." I whispered. I grabbed the chair sitting against the wall. I pulled it right up to the bed and grabbed her cold hand again. I cupped it trying to warm it up. I couldn't help but stare at her praying that she'd wake up, and look at me with those perfect pools of indigo.
-
Cyborg had finally contacted Robin and Star. It wasn't long before he came trudging back into the room, trying to hand me an apple and a bottle of water. I glanced at him then shook my head.
"I'm not hungry."
"Man, you got to eat. I don't need you in a hospital bed too." Cy pressed I sighed and took the water. I began chugging it letting the cold water linger in my mouth. I had to admit it did feel refreshing. I pulled the bottle away and looked down at her.
"It should be me in this bed instead of her." I whispered.
"Knock it off man." Cy replied irritated
"I'm serious Cy!" I muttered "I wish I could switch places with her, she doesn't deserve this." I grabbed her other hand. I had been switching off with the two to keep them warm. At this point they were lucky I hadn't climb into the bed with her. I felt Cy place his hand on my back.
"Raven's going to make it B. I know it and you know it." He whispered. I kept repeating the first thing he said in my head 'Raven's going to make it.' I just had hoped he was right. "Raven is so lucky to have you in her life." he added softly.
After a few moments of just listening to the machine beep, Cy began to get fidgety. "Man I need to go walk around. Maybe I'll go check out what they have in Cafeteria." He responded. "I'll bring you back something okay?" I nodded not turning around, slowly laid my head down on her bed, never taking my eyes off her. Now that he was gone I felt like I could talk to her without someones prying ears listening in. I may have foolish for talking to her not truly knowing if she could even hear me but it didn't matter, I had a lot on my chest I needed to get off.
"Raven," I started out in just a whisper tone it felt right since it looked like she was just sleeping. "I just want you to know that, I'm sorry." I mumbled "I never meant for things to become so weird between us and I wish that I could take back some of the things I said to you the other day." I had to pause again letting my heart speak for me. "I know it's hard for you to express your emotions and I pushed you way to far. I should have backed off and let you cool off and instead I acted like emotional freak."
"The truth is, I adore you. Every single part of you, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in-" I stopped my mouth drying instantly I licked my lips and tried again. I had never said these words to anyone and that made it even harder. "I'm in love with you." My voice sounded shaky almost if I wasn't sure about it.
"I love you Raven, I love the good things, and the bad things. When you wake up I want to prove it to you. No matter what it takes. The doctor says that its up to you now, so I know that you're a fighter and you're the strongest person I know." I began stroking her hand with my thumb. "Please stay here with me." I begged watching her face.
"You are truly are the sweetest thing I've ever seen." I turned and saw a nurse that I hadn't seen before. Shocked and uncomfortable being caught professing my love by some stranger was unnerving. She smiled at my blushing face and reached out her hand to me.
"I'm Silvia." She replied shaking my hand.
"Garfield Logan." I answered this was the first time since I was little that I actually had use my real name. It almost felt weird referring to myself in this way.
"And this must be Rachel." She remarked she let go of my hand and grabbed the clipboard on the bottom of the bed. I made a grunt noise that caught her attention. "Sorry? Jane said that her name is Rachel?" She asked. I sighed knowing that it really wasn't that big of a deal, it was just something about the fact that no one really seemed to know Raven at all. They didn't even have her name right.
"It's actually Raven," I replied softly eyeing her. "but I guess people aren't suppose to know that though." I could feel her eyes on me. I turned peeling my eyes away from Raven.
"Well thank you, I like to get to know my patients and having the wrong name just isn't helpful." She stated I gave her small smile. Silvia began to read her chart, she nodded and made a soft clicking noise with her tongue. "Let me guess," She began, she pulled part of the blanket down and shook her head. "As I figured they never listen to me."
"What?" I asked concerned that she had found something bad.
"She's not even in a gown. I bet your very uncomfortable in this tatter uniform. Poor thing. I'm going to go get some things dear, you sit tight." Silvia walked out of the room leaving me feeling tiny bit more lighter then before as I realized she had been talking to Raven and not me.
-
I was really starting to like Silvia. She was thoughtful, sweet and I couldn't help but love that she actually treated Raven like a normal human being instead of just a problem that was needing to be fixed.
"Alright dear, here we are." Silvia commented coming backing to the room. She carried in multiple items in her arms stepping with care. "Okay I think that we'll start with the robe." She stated. She glanced at me and nodded. "Why don't you help me Garfield?" I shifted slightly wondering what she had in mind.
"Yeah, okay." I muttered standing up. She pulled down the blanket that was covering her. With delicate fingers she spread the gown over Raven. I watched waiting for her instruction. She smiled up at me and ordered,
"Okay now here's the part I need help. Can you hold her up while I tie the back?" I nodded quickly and carefully followed her. I held her up against me, after a few seconds Silvia nodded and I sat her back down on her pillows.
"What about her leotard underneath?" I inquired.
"Yes we are getting there, that's coming off."
I swallowed and hid my embarrassment this was not the time or place to be thinking of such things. Silvia turned her attention on Raven's right arm.
"I think start with removing it off her arms then pull it down alright? Then I'll have you hold her again so I can tie some more." I watched as she use the gown as a part of protection so that nothing could be seen. I followed her advice and moved the actual sleeve down and off her arm. I tucked her arm into the new sleeve of the gown then my eyes gazed across from me nodding to Silvia. We then began to shimmy the leotard down Raven's body.
My hands shook as I moved the fabric down. My knuckles gently brushing against her soft skin. Silvia made sure that she was covered the whole time. She had lots of practice of doing this. Finally she pulled it garment down her legs and then off.
"There." She said holding it by two fingers. She tossed it into a trash can. We finished dressing Raven, as Silvia began asking me questions.
"So where did you guys meet?" I slightly blushed at her question.
"Uh, we work together." I answered She grinned at me.
"I see, and how long have you know each other?"
"Almost 6 years." I replied
"Well I have to say you two are just the cutest couple." She responded. I let a small smile appear on my face.
"I think so." I replied looking towards Raven. Silvia had gotten my mind off the worry of her and for that I was eternally grateful for.
-
I woke up with a start not sure where I was. My eyes finally focused and I realized I was still next to her. I must have dozed off after Silvia excused herself. She had interrogated me for at least an hour while she took care of Rae. She had washed her hair, checked her medication levels and even had given me a mini lesson on what all the different machines did.
I shook my head and wiggled my jaw. I moaned grabbing it. I must have been clenching my teeth as I slept. I glanced around the room and could see the soft light of morning coming in. It had to be around 6 am. I stood stretching my body. I walked over to the ECG machine and eyed it seriously. Silvia had told me that Raven's heart rate needed to come up to at least a 60 and from what I could see she was at 40. I exhaled as I turned back to her.
"You got to get better Rae."
"How is she doing?" Robin asked coming in. He looked just as frazzled as I felt. I sighed noticing Star right behind him.
"She has been better." I muttered. There was a moment of silences as we all stared at Raven. Star had tears that streamed down her face.
"She will be okay, she must." She whimpered her voice made me cringe. It was so hard to see how upset every one was.
"You guys got attacked too?" I asked noticing how dirty their uniforms were.
"Yeah there were loads of Sladebots." Robin replied. Anger buzzed in my chest, Slade had caused all this.
"I swear if I find Slade, he better hope he's dead before I get there." I bit.
"I call dibs on some of that torture." Cy remarked standing in the door way. "Rob, Star glad to see you two in whole pieces." They nodded towards Cy.
"Where have you been?" I asked. The last time I saw him was almost five hours ago. Cy shrugged and replied,
"I had to go move a ship pod from the roof." He gave me a look.
"Sorry." I murmured
"Anyways, I got some food and I was just waiting in the lobby for these two." He paused resting his big hand on Star's shoulder. "You should go eat B." I began to shake my head to which I got glares from all three of my team members.
"Friend Beast Boy you must eat, You don't look well." Star noted. I bit my tongue ignoring her observation.
"BB seriously. There is a little soy shop two blocks from here. Go eat! I don't think you've eaten anything for two days now." Cy suggested. I looked at Raven her coloring looking paler then her normal pale.
"But-" I began to protest
"Beast Boy." Came Robin's harsh voice.
"Fine!" I huffed dropping my hands to my side. "You guys call me if anything changes!" I added pushing Cy slightly.
"Of course." He answered. I gave one last lingering look towards her. I turned sighing to myself pulling myself from the room.
-
I walked back into the hospital feeling much better after my meal. My stomach grumbled not use to the amount of food I had just ingested. I had to admit I was glad the team had force me to leave. I was able to clear my head and I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I actually started eating. I walked back into the urgent care and saw Jane sitting at the desk. She smiled at me and nodded as I stepped through the special doors. The door swung open revealing Silvia.
"There you are! She awake." She breathed. My heart thumped in my chest as I began speedily walking towards her room.
I walked in and noticed there was a strange feeling in the room as everyone stared at me. I ignored the weird vibe I narrowed my eyes look right at her. Raven's eyes seem to light up as she noticed me, this made my heart pound as I moved around the room. I sat down in my normal spot and I gently picked up her hand.
"When did you wake up?" I asked I watched as she swallowed and looked at Cyborg.
"Just a few moments ago." She whisper her voice sounding broken and lost. I shot a look towards Robin and Cyborg.
"Weird I didn't get a call." I hissed at them. I turned back around to look at her. She had a tired look on her face as she stared at me.
"I hear my patient is awake?" asked Dr. Lennox. He had come in with Silvia close behind him. He began to at her charts and the computer monitors. It wasn't long before we were all ushered out of the room so the doctor could 'look her over' I had to be dragged out by Cyborg.
I stood outside of the room trying to listen wanting to hear what was being said but the door had been shut and my ears couldn't pick up the conversation because of all the other sounds around us. I turned glaring at the sky and folded my arms. Robin hung up the phone at the nurses station and turned towards us.
"I got us a room at the Hilton." He remarked looking at Star. She smiled at him. I narrowed my eyes confused.
"What?" I asked. Cy then was once again the one to try to calm me down noticing the anger in my voice.
"It's okay B. We all tired. We need to get some rest and Raven needs rest too." Robin and Star began nodding.
"I'm not leaving." I answered. Shocked that they would even expect me to.
"Beast Boy," Robin's voice came again but this time I could tell he was too tired to argue with me.
"I said, I'm not leaving. You guys go. Sleep, shower, eat, whatever. I'm staying right here. I'm not leaving until she does." I repeated. I was being stubborn but I didn't care what they thought.
-
The three of them said their goodbyes with promises of coming back as soon as their bodies were rested/charged and their bellies full. Raven of course was understanding and gave her quiet goodbyes. After they exited I walked back into her room. I knew she needed rest but I wasn't going to sit outside any longer. She noticed me and frowned.
"You didn't go with?" She whispered I shook my head and sat down.
"After how hard I fought to get in here? No way." I smirked at her. She blinked a few times then looked down to her toes. I eyed her hand wanting to grab it but I wasn't feeling gutsy enough. I bit my lip instead.
"I'm glad you decided to wake up." I mumbled peering at her. Her lips purse as she spoke up.
"Well you know, might as well be awake and alive. Sleeping is for dead people." I couldn't help but grin at the sarcasm in her voice. It felt so good to hear it. My smile faded as I took a more serious tone.
"Honestly Rae, I'm so happy that you're okay. I wasn't sure for a while there." I ran my hands threw my hair as I spoke.
"I know, Silvia told me." She responded casually. My body stiffened at her nurse's name.
"Oh? What else did she tell you?" I questioned my eyes searching hers.
"Enough." She raised her eyebrows at me. I began chuckling nervously. "By the way, when were you planning on proposing to me? or is that too much of a cliché?" I could feel my face redden as I fixed my gaze to her blanket.
"Uh, yeah, that was just a ruse..." I murmured. "They were kind of being assholes about letting me see you."
"Smart of you." She remarked. I turned my attention back to her kind of shocked that she was complementing me.
"I honestly, never thought I'd hear that kind of response from you." She smirked slightly.
"It will probably never happen again." She replied. I gave her grin letting the sound of her machines fill the room.
After a moment she spoke again softer this time.
"Why, didn't you leave with the others, why are you spending so much time here?" I scratched my head my stomach turning slightly.
"I just, I'd rather be here with you. It calms me down."
"Even after everything that happened? Everything I said to you. You're still here?" She inquired I felt my ear droop as my mind was force to remember the painful conversation we had. I answered not letting any hesitation linger,
"Of course." I paused looking at her hand, I clicked my tongue, then grab it. She didn't pull away, she just watched me with those gorgeous eyes of hers. "I... I love you." I stuttered softly She nodded a few times almost like she was confirming the statement in her head.
"I'm sorry for pulling away. I honestly just-" She paused looking away, after a moment she finally restarted. "You were right I am scared, and I don't know how this, us, is going to work, but I do know that, I want it to work." I felt my heart began to respond by palpitating quickly. "I want to try." she whispered her eyes peering into me.
"Promise?" I breathed standing up. I was searching her eyes looking for any doubt behind them.
"I promise." She answered closing her eyes as I leaned in kissing her softly.