Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans. I promise.

Author's Note: So, does everyone remember what happened last chapter? To recap, Slade pretty much screwed up everything up with a dream sent to Sara and now…well, now we have Chapter 34. Enjoy!

Oriole

Chapter 34: First

Robin

3:00 pm

Jump City

Titans Tower

The Next Day

Robin stepped inside the hospital room and saw Sara curled up in her bed. Sweat glistened on her pale face and drenched her clothes. Her breathing was ragged and hoarse. She looked sickly, broken. She'd gotten worse overnight. Robin walked to his seat beside her bed and took her hand gently in his. Even at that distance, he could feel a fever emanate from her. The heart monitor bleeped normally, sad background music that he usually only heard in hospital scenes in the movies.

Sara's eyes opened and her face brightened upon seeing him. "Hey Ro. What's up?" Sara's voice was so frail. It hurt him to see her like this. She was usually bright-eyed and bushy-tailed by this time.

Robin managed a casual shrug. "Not much, just came to visit. Did you get a good night sleep?"

She smiled feebly. "Not much, no. The nightmares are getting worse." A dark, almost hysterical laugh echoed in the small room. "Slade's getting more inventive with his staged deaths for everyone. I even got upset at BG's murder."

He gave her a grim half-smile. "That bad, huh? Is there anything I can do?"

She chuckled and shook her head. "Not really. But you can stay right there looking handsome as ever."

Robin laughed, despite himself. "You always talk about my huge ego and now you're feeding it? Jeez, you are possessed."

The two teens laughed. Not because it was funny, per say, but more because they needed it. Calm and happiness was becoming less and less frequent, so moments like these were cherished. But it didn't last. Right on cue, her eyes glazed over with a copper finish and her smile turned to a scream of terror and pain.

Ever since yesterday, Slade's attacks now caused physical pain. The only way Sara could defend herself now was for her body to attack itself. And according to the depth of her agony, it hurt like hell. . Robin took her hand, letting her take out her pain on him. "Oh my God, stop! Make it stop!" Her screams grew shrill and painful. Her grip on Robin's hand tightened, nails biting into his skin.

"Hey, shh…It's okay, you're okay. Just wait it out right?" Robin scrambled up into the bed and let her head rest in his lap. "It's okay. You'll be okay."

Sara bit her lip, trying to hold back the screams. It seemed like it would never end. Her body kept twisting and turning, trying to get away from the unbearable pain and the invisible force causing it. Then the cries and screams escaped from her lips, louder and more high-pitched than ever. "Stop! Please! PLEASE! MAKE IT STOP!"

"You just gotta wait it out. It'll stop. I-I promise. You're gonna be okay."This was more horrible than Robin had ever had to deal with. Sara was usually so strong. To see her beg for relief was unbearable. It almost made him feel the pain with her.

Finally, her grip on his hand loosened, and the thrashing stopped. Sara lay limp in his arms, gasping for air and the ghost of her pain still on her normally bubbly expression. Robin made a move to go back to his chair, but Sara's tightened fist around his hand stopped him. "Don't go. Please stay."

Oh Sara, what has Slade done to you? Robin got back into a comfortable position and rested his head on hers. "I'm not going anywhere."

Batman burst into the room, his eyes wide and concerned. He plopped down in Robin's abandoned chair and gazed at the girl.

"Sorry for the scare." Sara muttered, eyes closed and looking even more fragile than before the attack.

Bruce took her hand, his eyes surprisingly tender. "I'm sorry you have to go through this, Sara. I promise; we'll find a way to help you."

By the look on her face, Dick knew she didn't believe him and that hope was the only thing that kept her standing when all she wanted was to lie down.

He looked at Bruce and mouthed, "Morphine. Get the morphine."

Bruce nodded and grabbed the syringe from the metal cart near Sara's sick bed. He moved to slip the needle into her skin. Dick shook his head and nodded to the IV drip already hooked up to her arm. Bruce nodded and stabbed the IV bag with the morphine needle.

Not two seconds later, the liquid still in the syringe boiled and the container for the morphine floated to Sara's hand. When Robin tried to stop it from getting to her, she opened one eye and said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. It's kinda hot."

She caught the morphine in her hand and sniffed it cautiously. "What's with the morphine, guys?" Judging by the panicked look on her face, Robin guessed her question wasn't as casual as her voice.

Robin and Batman exchanged looks and Bruce replied, "We thought it might help with the pain."

Eyes wide, she sat up and glared at him, "Did you inject any into me?"

Slowly, both men nodded. Sara threw the covers aside and got to her feet, pulling the IV out of her arm as she went. But already, the effects of the morphine was taking hold. "Sara? What's wrong with morphine?"

She turned to him, her eyes dilated in fear. "Morphine dulls the senses. How in hell am I gonna block Slade now?"

Again, as if on cue, her eyes flashed copper. Except this time, she didn't feel any pain. That pain was the only reassurance that Slade couldn't take over. Now that it was gone. Dick glanced at Bruce and muttered, "What have we done?"

Slade

3:05 pm

Jump City

Location Unknown

Slade smiled underneath his mask. He sensed the morphine pumping through her veins, knowing there was no feasible way she could block him now. Calming his mind, he visualized the entire city, with all of the people bustling around their everyday lives, ignorant of what was going on in Titans Tower. Slade focused on the Tower, then onto the three people inside the hospital room. Compared to Sara's mind, which glowed like the Fourth of July fireworks, everyone else besides Raven had surprisingly dull minds, giving off a small glow like that of a candle.

At first, he tried to enter Batman's, then Robin's, mind. But even drugged, Sara's subconscious protected them. Slade shrugged off the frustration. After all, he had been expecting that. But with all the protection she gave them, she could no longer defend herself. So, locking her away in the deepest, darkest corner of her mind was a cakewalk. The real problem was getting her out of the Tower.

Robin kneeled down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "You okay, Sair?"

Better now than never. Slade whipped a fist out and knocked Robin back. Using Sara's acrobatic skills, she rolled to her feet and leaped over Robin, kicking his head on his way past to make sure he was unconscious. Batman blocked the exit. Slade smiled. Well, Wayne's on my hit list anyway. He thought.

He kicked Batman's chest, but he wasn't used to Sara's size and came up short. Wayne smiled and caught Sara's leg, flipped her over and slammed her body against the wall.

Sara's mind stirred. Bruce? Bruce! Slade, don't! Leave him alone!

You're starting to repeat yourself, my dear. Slade snapped. He slowly stood and blocked Wayne's fist before it could reach his face.

It's my face! Not yours! Sara retorted at his thoughts.

Yes, well, who will be waking up with a headache tomorrow morning if I hadn't blocked him…then again, I'm not entirely sure myself.

Sara said nothing, but she again tried to break free.

Slade slammed his fist into Bruce's chest, trying to keep up with the fight while having to deal with Sara still. But then, Wayne got the better of him. His kick swung behind the girl's knees and they buckled beneath the pressure. Slade growled in frustration and rolled to his feet.

"Let her go, Slade. She's of no use to you." Wayne said, fists still raised.

"To the contrary, I think she's been very valuable these past few weeks. Easy to manipulate." Slade was surprised that his voice sounded like his, and not Sara's. Wayne seemed disturbed by that fact.

Ouch. Sara muttered, but Slade found it interesting that she didn't deny it.

Wayne scowled. "I'm giving you one last chance. I suggest you take it."

Man, B doesn't know anything about Slade, does he? Wait, did he just hear me?

I couldn't agree with you more, Sara.

Yup, he heard me. Damn it.

Slade chuckled, "Now what makes you think I would do that?"

Slade snapped his fingers and was pleasantly surprised when electricity crackled over the girl's skin instead of fire.

Oh shit. I shouldn't be a channel for his powers!

Slade himself was interested, but he let the matter rest. All of a sudden, Sara's conscious left her body. Shortly after, Wayne's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed. There, now he's no threat to you. Just leave him be.

"You're just delaying the inevitable, Sara." Slade muttered as he passed Wayne's sleeping form on the floor. He left through the door into the commons area. From what he remembered about Titans Tower, there were two exits from the commons room but only one lead to stairs.

He froze when he heard the Tamaranian's voice, "Friend, why have you awakened?"

Raven walked in just then, her eyes finding him immediately. "Good question, Star."

Reverting his voice back into Sara's, he replied innocently, "I need some air. I'm getting sick of being cooped up for so long."

Damn it, Raven, come on! You're already suspicious of me! Figure it out!

Slade did his best to ignore her, but Sara was right: Raven was onto his act. He held her burning gaze, while Sara chanted "It's not me" in the background. Then the witch girl said, "And Robin really let you out? I thought he was keeping you under lock and key."

Yes! Yes he is!

"He thought it might be best for me. Come on, Raven, I'm restless!" Slade whined with Sara's voice, knowing perfectly well that Sara would do the exact same thing.

Ugh, why do you have to be such a good actor? RAVEN! I'm in here! Stop him! She screamed with her thoughts.

Do yourself a favor and keep quiet. Or I might see fit to just attack them rather than keep up with this whole charade.

Fear echoed through their psychic link and Sara shut her mouth. Raven perked up at the feeling too. Her violet eyes narrowed to slits. Orbs appeared around her hands and her hood pulled up onto her head. Slade's electricity crackled between his fingertips as he got ready to fight. Just then, Raven's eyes turned to something behind him.

He turned and saw Robin, just before he landed a blow to Sara's temple and knocked her unconscious.

Oriole

5:00 pm

Jump City

Titans Tower

Sara awoke strapped to a hospital bed. At first, she felt terrified and tried to break free. Then, a gentle hand fell on her shoulder. She jumped and looked to see Robin sitting in his usual chair. Relief flooded her system and she gazed at him with questioning eyes. "Ro, why am I strapped to a bed?"

Robin glanced sideways at Raven, who Sara just realized was there, and asked, "Raven?"

Raven studied Sara with scrutiny and she felt the empath's presence in her mind. She nodded at him and Robin turned back to Sara, a half-hearted smile on his face. "We're worried about Slade. Supposedly this might help."

"Supposedly? Might? You don't sound convinced." Sara observed emotionlessly.

He shrugged. "It wasn't my idea. If I let Bruce have his way, you'd be in a prison cell by now."

"Why would he put me in a prison? Is he crazy?"

Another shrug. "Maybe. But don't worry about that okay? I'll take care of Bruce." He took her hand and his eyes softened. "Are you okay, Sair?"

She considered this and realized she hadn't really felt much of anything, not even the grief she felt earlier that day about knocking Bruce out and hurting Robin, even if Slade forced her to. "I'm fine, I guess. A little worried, but otherwise fine."

Raven snorted. "You would have to be a moron not to be worried."

"Thank you, Raven." Robin snapped dismissively. She shot him a death glare that would've made even Bruce melt, but Ro ignored her.

"She has a point." Sara pointed out.

Grief flitted across his expression and his grip on her hand tightened. "I'm so sorry, Sara. This is all my fault. The morphine was my idea. I thought that maybe in a drug-induced sleep, you might actually get some rest."

Sara dismissed it with a wave. "It's not your fault. You didn't know." Though, deep down she finally did feel some emotion: anger. How could they have not seen that coming? Okay, maybe Ro had an excuse, but what about Bruce? He always seemed to think ahead before, but now, at the worst time, he decides to act on impulse. Being in a quieter city like Jump was making Bruce soft. Otherwise, he would've thought twice about the drug. She let it go. It's not like she could do anything about it, so why worry?

Robin didn't press the issue, nor Raven, but she could tell he wasn't convinced. But the grief on his face wasn't just about the morphine. "Ro?" He looked up into her eyes, though he'd been trying to avoid them. "What aren't you telling me?"

He tried to feign innocence, but Dick had never been a good liar. Just then, Raven decided to leave. That definitely meant trouble.

"Richard John, what aren't you telling me?" She asked again, fear and anger bubbling up inside of her.

He looked away and mumbled something indistinctly.

"Speak up." Sara commanded.

"Slade called while you were unconscious." Robin spoke louder, his voice cracking upon mentioning the mercenary's name.

Sara remained silent for a minute. Why would Slade call? What could he possibly want? "What did he say?"

He finally met Sara's eyes, but with his mask on, it was next to impossible to read him. Sighing, he said, "He said that if I don't turn myself in, he'll take you away. Then, he said that if I resist even then…he said he'd kill you."

Author's Note: Cue the Twilight Zone music! So yeah, Slade's an asshole. And if he doesn't get what he wants, he has a temper tantrum. Damn. Next chapter's a biggie, guys! I can feel it. Bye! Enjoy your day! REVIEW PLEASE!