A Nightmare All His Own
By Flying Star
Disclaimer: Oh please, like I really own Teen Titans. I don't even own a house. In other words, no.
The conclusion to my sequel is here. Truely this is the end. Sorry it took so long to finish, personal things, writer's block, and other things got in the way of finishing this story.
I've began a sortof retelling of my other story "Drifting", from each Titans views, starting with Raven. But, I will not change the ending, and it's not a sequel. He still dies and she still leaves.
After that, I have no clue as to what I'll write.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you're what kept me writing. This is Flying Star, signing out.
Conclusion/epilogue: Healing
( Inside the building with the other Titans)
Robin had to blink his light sensitive eyes as the darkness left.
" Starfire!!"
Robin's head whipped around as he saw her emerge from Raven's mirror, and promptly fall to her knees. He quickly got to his feet, tossing aside the helmet that had held him captive for the better part of the day.
Raven was kneeling over Starfire, keeping her from getting up. She didn't protest as Robin pushed past her, looking down into Star's face as she tried, but failed to speak.
" Shh, it's okay Star. I'm here, we're all her, just relax." he gently pushed down on her right shoulder, noticing the severity of her condition. Even though her eyes were unfocused, Robin felt relieved when Starfire nodded lightly, closing her eyes. Robin caught her as she fell unconcious. " Raven, a little help!" he called over his shoulder.
He felt her presence as he placed Starfire's body on the floor. " No need to shout." Raven muttered as she went to work on Starfire's injuries, Robin watching over her shoulder.
" Robin, dude, you okay?"
Robin turned to face Beastboy, who was eyeing his chest. He looked down, remembering his own condition. Blood was still seeping through the fabric of his, thankfully, regular outfit.
" Hey Raven, Robin needs mmph!" Beastboy glared at Robin as the boy wonder uncovered his mouth. " What's the big idea?" he grumbled.
Robin gestured for him to come closer. " Because, " he began in a whisper. " she's in a lot worse condition than me. I'm not going to let a little cut keep Raven from healing her."
" It's...too much."
Robin and Beastboy turned to see Raven swaying over Starfire's still form. She looked paler than usual. Without saying a word, Beastboy ran to her side, holding her steady as she smiled lightly. Robin wondered just what he had missed while he was away.
" What do you mean Raven, is she?" Robin's gaze went back to Starfire, noting with relief that her chest was still rising and falling steadily.
" She might recover."
" Might, " Robin interupted. "but she looks a lot better, aside from her wrist."
" It isn't that, Robin, " Raven replied, exasperated. " I was able to heal most of her wounds, though her wrist will have to be splinted. It's what happened to her internally that's more than I can handle."
" What is it?"
" Cobra venom." Cyborg interupted walking between the two. " My sensors show a substancial amount of it in her bloodstream."
" Yes, and that's the problem. I managed to purge most of it from her body, but her body's reacting to the venom in a strange way. To be blunt, she's in a coma, and I'm not sure if she's going to be able to awaken, and..." Raven stopped talking as Starfire's body began twitching. " This isn't good, her body's going into shock!" Raven's normally neutral face was showing a bit of emotion, fear.
" No." Robin's mouth tightened, watching in horror as Starfire's breathing suddenly grew erratic, her mouth opening and closing in silent gasps. " Cyborg!" he barked, his hysterical gaze making the cybernetic teen take a step back. " Call an ambulance! She needs medical attention, now!"
"But Rob, man I." Cyborg began
"Do it!" Robin growled. " She's getting worse. The doctors will know..." he trailed off as Cyborg nodded, calling for an ambulance on his arm phone.
Starfire suddenly exhaled sharply, her body going still as she stopped breathing.
" STAR!" Robin yelled, reaching for her head. In the distance he could vaguely hear the approaching sirens.
"Just hold on, Star," Robin took a deep breath to calm himself. He then bent down to perform CPR. "You'll pull through this," he said between blowing air into her lungs. He began pounding on her chest. " Come on, I know you're stronger than this, come on!" he continued pushing down until finally Starfire coughed, her eyes staying closed as she began to breath again.
" Thank god." Robin breathed as he felt himself being pushed back. Paramedics rushed by him, securing Starfire to a stretcher and began administering first aid.
" We have a problem."
" What?" Robin shook himself out of his stupor as he realized that a paramedic was addressing him. " What do you mean problem? She's going to be okay, right?" Robin didn't think he could handle any more problems.
" This girl...isn't from Earth. We don't know what blood type she has or anything."
" Her name is Starfire," Robin snapped, his patience already gone. " And I'm sure..."
" Not a problem, " Cyborg stepped between the two. " I have all her medical records downloaded, I can give you any information you need."
Robin sighed in relief as the paramedic nodded and turned back to his partners, taking Cyborg with him. As they passed him, Cyborg whispered, " Don't worry man, she'll be fine."
Robin nodded, but then ran to catch up with them. "Wait, I'm coming with you."
Cyborg turned back from the waiting ambulance. " Robin, I don't think..."
" I'm going and that's final."
Cyborg sighed." Alright, probably better you than me anyhow. I don't know how much weight the ambulance could handle. Just let me give them the information, and I'll have Beastboy haul me." he gave the lead paramedic Starfire's medical records and then turned to the green changling. " Okay, BB, I need transportation. And guess who's going to be it."
That brought a round of arguments as Beastboy refused to carry Cyborg, and Raven tried unsuccessfully to stop the bickering.
Robin smiled, shaking his head as he entered the ambulance. They'll figure it out. Immediately his smile faded as he saw the various equipment hooked to Starfire. Taking a seat next to her, he continued staring down at her comotose form. Star, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault, you should've let the others handle it. I'm sure Cyborg could've rigged up some way to help, or maybe Raven herself could've used..... he trailed off as he saw her brow furrow. Robin sighed, stroking her hand. At the touch, Starfire's facial features slackened, her mouth curving upward slightly. And here I am, blaming myself for something I couldn't control. I should really be thanking you, you went through so much to bring me back. I can't even begin to repay you, maybe I'll never be able to.
His thoughts were brought to a screeching halt as the ambulance suddenly swerved hard, bringing various needles, IVs, and Robin to the floor. Everything grew quiet as the vehicle came to a halt, it's engine dying as steam rose from the front.
Robin quickly brought out his communicator. " Raven report!"
"zrt....HIVE...blocking traffic. Mammoth crushed the ambulance front. Driver's unconscious, we're engaging them in battle."
" Damn," Robin pushed himself up, realizing for the first time that the attendants were unconscious as well. His gaze turned to Starfire, fearing the worst. " No Starfire!" Her body had fallen off the stretcher, tearing all the tubes and wires out on impact. Robin reached for the heart machine, placing the monitors back on Star's chest. Immediately a long steady drone filled the silent vehicle. Practically falling over himself, Robin again began CPR, almost hyperventilating as he tried desperately to start her heart. " Come on, come on!" sweat was pouring down his face as he continually pushed down on her chest, stopping occasionally to check for a pulse.
Nothing.
Teeth clenched, his mind refusing to believe it, Robin kept blowing air into her lungs and pushing down on her chest, until he felt a hand grasp his shoulder.
Dizzy from a lack of oxygen, he looked up into the concerned eyes of the now conscious attendants.
" Don't worry, we'll take it from here. She won't die on our watch." the attentant's tone of voice was soft, sympathetic.
Robin nodded, relieved to see the two putting Starfire back onto the stretcher. One continued CPR, while the other hooked up the remaining tubes and wires. After a few angonizing moments the lead attendant finally straightened. " Got a pulse, it's weak but it's there." He turned to Robin, who let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. " Unfortunately we have to call for another ambulance. And I don't know how long it'll take to get here. Plus your friend suffered some broken bones from her unsecured fall, would you like me to..." the attendant trailed off as Robin pushed the back doors open, turning back to say, " Just make sure she's comfortable, I'll take care of our unwanted guests."
And then Robin leapt out, his eyes taking in the scene. Raven and Beastboy had successfully subdued Jinx, and Mammoth was reeling from Cyborg's punches. That only left the technical genious, " Gizmo." Robin growled as the pint sized protagonist swooped down at him, his mechanical wings firing random bursts of laser fire. Without another word Robin pulled out his staff, deflecting the shots as he leapt onto the back of the low flying Gizmo.
" Hey, what do you think you're doing, you crud-licker!" Gizmo protested as Robin reached for a small square panel on the wings.
" Taking you down." Robin snarled as he pulled the panel open, tearing out any wires he could find. Immediately the wings began smoking before coming apart at the seams. Gizmo yelped in pain as his body hit the ground, rolling a few feet. He yelped again as Robin grabbed him by the cuff of his outfit.
" Why did you do this!?" Robin ordered, his gaze actually making Gizmo gulp nervously.
" It was Slade. He told us to!"
" Why!?" Robin yelled as Gizmo struggled to free himself.
" What do you think, snot-muncher. For the money, he offered us a tidy sum if we took care of your girlfriend." Gizmo leered.
" She's not my...." Robin grit his teeth together as he heard the welcome sound of sirens approaching. " I'll let the police handle you." He deposited Gizmo next to the defeated Jinx and Mammoth, tying all three together.
"Robin, how's Starfire?" he heard Beastboy say.
Robin turned to his teamates, keeping his emotions in check. " She's..fine now. " he noticed the approaching police cruiser was being followed by another ambulance. " I've gotta go. I'll meet you at the hospital."
The others nodded, figuring it best not to question him.
Robin hopped into the waiting ambulance, watching as Beastboy morphed into an eagle and took flight. Raven followed, carrying Cyborg in a bubble of black magic. He turned back to his motionless friend, his mind full of worry. Please please, let nothing else happen on the way to the hospital. He sat down on a cot, again watching her breath evenly. The ambulance pulled out, heading for the hospital, the rest of the trip, luckily, was uneventful.
So focused was Robin on her figure, that he didn't even realize that the ambulance had come to a stop. An attendant shook him lightly, Robin's glazed eyes turned upward.
" We've arrived, and your friends are here to greet you." The attendant said quietly as he and his partner wheeled Starfire's stretcher out of the ambulance.
Robin followed, almost in a daze as his teamates joined him.
" Robin, is it just me, or does Starfire look worse now?" Cyborg muttered quietly
Robin remained quiet, quickly following the paramedics into the hospital.
"Guess that answers that." Cyborg and the others followed at a slower pace, coming to the front desk where Robin was tapping his foot impatiently and scowling.
"What's the matter, Rob?" Cyborg said.
Robin's scowling face traveled to Cyborg's sympathetic face. " They won't let me in the room to see Starfire." He muttered harshly, giving the nurse behind the desk the evil eye. Wisely she ignored him, and instead turned to Cyborg.
" Your friend is being taken care of. We can't allow anyone in the room at the moment, patient safety, you understand?"
Cyborg nodded before taking ahold of Robin's hand. " Come on man, they'll do their best. Let's just take a seat in the waiting room."
Robin tried to free his hand, but Cyborg held on saying, " Robin, do you think Star would like seeing you like this? The doctor's will help her, and we can help her by staying put and waiting for the results."
Robin muttered something unintelligible, but allowed Cyborg to guide him to the waiting room, where they all took a seat.
" Mommy mommy, look, it's the Teen Titans!"
Robin looked up as a middle aged woman shushed a child who looked to be no older than 5. " Debra dear, there's people here who need you to be quiet. Besides I believe these nice people need their privacy."
" Okay mommy." Debra looked crestfallen as she returned to her seat.
" Actually ma'am, I'd be happy to talk to your daughter." Robin said as he knelt down next to Debra's chair. " So, how old are you? You look to be about five."
Debra looked up, her face lighting up. " I'm five and a half." she stated proudly. " I turn six in three months."
" Oh really, " Robin smiled, the first genuine smile since the ambulance ride. " and why, if I may ask, are you here?" Instantly he regretted asking as her face lost it's smile, her mouth turning downward.
" I have a in..inc..a bad disease." Debra turned away.
" She has a rare form of cancer, it's incurable." her mother whispered into Robin's ear. " The doctors need to do tests once a month to see how far it's progressed."
" Oh, I'm really sorry. I wish I could do something for you."
" I wanna see the red haired one!"
Robin and Debra's mother turned around, realizing that Debra was now leaning forward on her chair, a small smile gracing her features again as her gaze flashed between each titan.
" I don't see her, is she visiting a friend?" It was an innocent question, but Robin felt his heart clench in his chest.
" N..no, she's um, she's sick right now." Robin stuttered uneasily as he saw her wide eyes turn to him. " I...ah." he was starting to shake a little, his grief beginning to overwhelm him again.
" He means that she's getting treatment right now." Raven interrupted, much to Robin's relief. She gave him a slight nod, at which Robin turned back to Debra, who had her head down in silent contemplation.
" I'm gonna go sit down now, but if you like I could give you an autograph."
The little girl's face raised up again, her eyes shining. " Oooh, I'd love that." she giggled, grinning.
Robin grinned back as he wrote his name on a piece of paper, along with the words, Feel better soon. He then passed the sheet to Beastboy, who put his signature along with his message, you rock, Debra. Raven was next, she simply wrote her name, while Cyborg echoed Robin's words.
The paper came back to Robin, which he carefully folded and then handed to Debra. After a moment of reading, she looked up at him, her eyes now glistening with unshed tears. Then, in a surprise move, she lunged at him, wrapping her small arms around his neck. " Thank you so much." she whispered as she nuzzled his neck for a second, before letting go and returning to her mother, the grin on her face as bright as ever.
Robin kept grinning as well, taking a seat next to Raven. " Thanks for bailing me out there." he whispered.
Raven turned her head slightly. " Just don't think of this as a regular occurance." She whispered back, just as the door to the waiting room opened.
A short, slightly balding doctor walked into the room. " Debra Hastening."
The look of happiness on the little girl's face vanished as she stood up from her chair, her mother following close behind.
Robin leaned over as she passed, giving her a wide grin. She nodded, mouthing "thanks" as she walked out of the room.
As the door closed Beastboy turned to Robin. "Dude, why didn't you tell her that everything would be alright, that she didn't need to worry?"
Robin's smile faded. "Because, I can't give her false hope, BB. Some diseases don't go away, you don't get better. Unfortunately she's going to have a tough road ahead of her, but I could tell just by the way she acted that she knew the truth about what she has. She's knows there's no miracle cure and that each visit just shows her how long she has to live. It's a harsh reality, but I believe she can still have many good years ahead of her before the inevitable."
Beastboy winced. " Yeah, I guess you're right. Let's just hope Star's okay."
" Only time will tell." Raven muttered under her breath." It depends on her will to live, amongst other things." she added quietly.
Robin turned to her, a look of surprise and suspicion on his face. " Is there something you're fogetting to tell me, Raven?" his eyes narrowing.
Raven didn't look up, and instead just shrugged. " Maybe."
"That reminds me,"Robin continued, trying to keep the weariness out of his voice, " when Star tried to use a starbolt earlier, nothing happened. Could that have anything to do with the shape she's in?"
Raven nodded, but kept her head down. " Remember Robin, Tamaranians need sunlight from time to time. And though they can function without it for awhile, it's used to fuel her attacks and help her heal her wounds. From what I saw in your mind, there wasn't any sunshine, just a encompassing darkness. Without the sunlight, and with the unknown variable of the venom coursing through her body, she grew weaker and weaker."
Robin blinked. " I guess that makes sense, in theory. But Star's been able to use her starbolts at night without a problem."
"Not when you have unknown factors. The venom was just one thing that her body had to suddenly find a way to fight. But as I mentioned before, time flowed differently while she was in your head, to her body mere minutes felt like hours, hours like days. While she didn't really feel it, her body grew increasingly fatigued by this contrast."
Robin nodded.
The door opened again, this time producing a taller, younger doctor. " I'm looking for the one called Cyborg?"
Cyborg stood up. " Yeah, that's me. Is anything wrong?" he asked, seeing Robin flinch out of the corner of his eye.
" We're having a...problem with her medical records. Could I discuss the matter with you, since you gave us the information?"
" Sure."
" Okay, follow me."
The two left the room, leaving Robin sandwiched between Beastboy and Raven. " Can this day get any worse?" he muttered darkly.
The door to the waiting room burst open. " Alright! Don't nobody move!"
Robin's head jerked up, recognizing the figure before him. " Oh god, not now." he groaned, standing up, Beastboy and Raven doing the same.
" Now be a kind audience, and direct me to my lovely assistant, the darling alien Starfire." Mumbo grinned as he pulled out his magic wand. " I have a job to do, nothing personal. " he laughed, turning a stack of magazines into a small dog...with fangs bigger than it's head. " Now, hand her over." the grin had dropped from his face as the creature turned to the Titans, drool falling from it's almost comically stretched mouth.
" Dude, what the heck's going on? Did Slade e-mail every villian in town? Actually, don't answer that. " Beastboy exclaimed before turning into a tiger. He leapt forward, lashing out with his paw, which hit the dog's right fang, shattering it.
The dog stood for a moment, it's eyes wide in disbelief, before it turned, lunging at Raven. She quickly brought up a shield, and the dog, unable to stop its self, hit it dead on and slid down. It then stood up, and turned back into the pile of magazines.
" Hey, quit running my show." Mumbo complained as he directed his wand at the front desk. " Let's see how you fare when I have a captive audien....OOOF!" the magician was so engrossed in his rantings that he had failed to see the approaching Robin, who swiftly disarmed him.
After breaking the wand, which turned Mumbo back into his normal self, Robin grabbed his shirt. " Let me guess, Slade offered you a bunch of money to take care of Starfire."
Mumbo nodded, sweatdropping as Robin tied him up. At that moment the door burst open again. Robin began to reach for a birdarang before realizing that it was just the security guards. " Late as always." he muttered as he took a seat, watching as Mumbo was swiftly escorted out.
As the door swung shut, Cyborg squeezed his way in. " Man, what happened here?" he asked, taking in the overturned chairs and scattered magazines.
" Nothing special, just another villain trying to off Starfire." Robin grumbled as he grabbed a shredded magazine. " Any news?"
" Yeah," Cyborg began, his tone somber. " They needed another pint of tamaranian blood, which we luckily had at the tower, I sent a paramedic to get it. Plus they needed the skelatal makeup of her body to help them with the broken bones. But, " he continued, seeing the worry increase in Robin's eyes, " she's stable at the moment. They're administering anti- venom shots to try to neutralize the rest of the venom in her body. The next twenty-fours hours are critical, and they said it's best that we go home and wait for news on her condition."
" I'm with you." Beastboy said quietly, taking a quick glance at Raven.
" I'll go as well." she said, shutting her book.
Cyborg's gaze turned to Robin, who returned his gaze with a stubborn scowl. " I take it from your face that leaving is not an option for you?" Cyborg asked, recieving a slight nod from the boy wonder. " Okay, we'll keep in touch, and don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine in no time." Even to him the words sounded hollow as he and the others left the room.
As soon as the door shut, Robin sighed. Star, please be okay. You can't leave me. he thought as he laid back in the chair. Trying to get comfortable was almost impossible, but he managed as he closed his eyes, sleep finally overtaking him.
(Two hours later)
The shrill beeping of his communicator was the first thing to drag him from his restful slumber, the second: the harsh voice of the desk nurse.
" Please sir, I must ask you to turn off your cell phone."
" Huh, whazat. " Robin groggily reached for his Titan communicator, struggling to clear his sleep addled mind. " Robin here. " he muttered, blinking until Cyborg's image became clear.
" Robin man, we've had a run-in with two more villians looking to ice your girlfriend."
" She's not my, wait..two more, when?"
"Sir, I must really ask you to..."
Robin's fatigued gaze traveled up to the nurse's face for a moment, at which she paled before saying more quietly, " You can finish your call, but then you must shut off your cell."
Robin nodded as Cyborg continued, " On our way back to the Tower, first Cinderblock and then Plasmus."
"And you decided to tell me now." Robin grit his teeth. How many did Slade tempt?
" Well ah, you see, it wasn't an easy battle, and then the police needed us to file a report and..."
" It's okay." Robin held up his hand to silence Cyborg. " So why did you call me to tell me?"
" We figured since Slade really seems to have it in for you, or more specifically Starfire, that he might send more of his goons your way. In other words, watch your back."
" I'll do that." Robin answered as he pocketed the communicator. " Just what I need." he muttered. "What else could happen?"
The door suddenly opened, prompting him to reach for a birdarang.
" Is that any way to treat your guest." A deep sinister voice called out. About a dozen shadowed figures suddenly appeared, the hallway light illuminating the insignia on their uniforms.
"Slade." Robin growled as the first of Slade's robots leapt at him, only to go sailing through the open window as Robin ducked.
" I see you've had quite a night. " Slade chuckled as he appeared in the room, his robotic minions going to stand on either side.
" Why? Why all this? Star did nothing to you." Robin argued as he took a defensive pose, but not before pressing the silent call button on his communicator. " This is between you and me."
" Oh, but that's where you're wrong, my boy. She interupted months of careful planning, and for that she must...." Slade jumped back, narrowly avoiding Raven's black energy claw. " So, your friends have decided to join us, good. Perhaps we should take this outside?" Slade threw a few small balls that suddenly erupted, throwing up a big flash of light.
Blinking to clear his vision, Robin saw the room was empty, save for his friends. Though now all the windows were open. "How did you get here so fast?"
" Raven teleported us." Beastboy answered
Well, come on follow me." Robin called out as he leapt onto the windowsill, looking down he saw nothing, but a quick glance up told him what he needed to know. " He's on the roof, get up there any way you can." he threw a rappling hook, quickly ensnaring a ledge closer to the roof. A sideways glance showed Raven levating to the roof, while Beastboy, now in teradactyl form, carried Cyborg to the top.
As he drew closer to the top, something nagged at Robin, that he was missing something. He shook his head. Now was not the time. he thought as they reached the roof. Before them, Slade waited patiently, his robots now on every ledge of the roof.
" So, shall we begin?" Slade didn't wait for an answer as his robots suddenly surged forward.
Raven took out three with her magic before being knocked to the ground. A robot aimed a laser pistol at her, but never managed to fire a shot as a green Tyrannosaurus tore it to bits. " Thanks." Raven muttered as the dinosaur winked at her and did a little dance. The dino then blinked in surprise as Raven called out her chant, tearing apart a pair of robots aiming for his unprotected back. He sweatdropped before turning back to the seemingly endless flow of mechanical beings.
Robin slammed his staff into the head of a robot before tossing a birdarang. It sliced through the heads of a half dozen robots, and took out the legs of three more.
" This is getting us nowhere!" Cyborg yelled as he blasted four robots off the roof, then groaned as four more took their place. " There's too many!"
" I don't care how many there are! We have to keep them away from Starfire!" Robin stopped, his blood running cold as he noticed one person was missing. " Oh shit! Why didn't I see it before!" he tossed another robot before calling out to the others. "This was all a distraction so that Slade could go after Starfire! Keep fighting, I've gotta help Star!"
Quickly rappling down the building, Robin practically flew into the waiting room. Startling a couple who had just entered.
" Sir, what's the meaning of..."
The nurse shrunk back as Robin grabbed the counter ledge. " He's going after her...I mean Star...Slade. Gotta get to her and..."
"Sir," the nurse, who had gotten over the initial shock of his entrance, calmly grabbed his wrist. " I can't help you if you don't calm down. Now, what is it that you have to say?"
Robin took a deep breath, simutaniously glad for the interruption and frustrated by it. " That man who came in here, he's going after Starfire. He's threatened serious harm to her, I have to get to her. Please I need to know her room number." he was pleading, and he knew it. But he had to get to Starfire, before Slade killed her.
" Normally I would say let security take care of it, but from what I've seen I don't think they could help much. I'll still call for them but I'll tell you the number. It's room 614, fourth floor."
" Thanks." Robin said as he left the room. " You may of just saved a life."
" Good luck." he heard the nurse call out as he opened the stairwell door. " No time for the elevator." he said taking the stairs two at a time. " One, two, three, ah four. " he threw the door open, looking at the first room number. " 300, I've got a ways to go, and Slade's already got a head start."
Swiftly making his way down the hall, apologizing to the desk nurses as he passed, Robin finally made it to the room, everything seemed quiet. Too quiet. he thought as he reached for the door.
A soft click was heard as he opened it, prepared for the worst, which was why he was suprised to see the room undisturbed. " I could've sworn..." he ducked as Slade's fist just missed his head.
" Ah Robin, you kept me waiting."
" What did you do to Starfire?" Robin was fed up with Slade's cool demeanor. " Tell me."
" Why Robin, I'm hurt. Can't I visit your dear little friend?"
Robin ignored Slade as he shoved past him, going to Starfire's side. It was then that he saw Slade's handiwork. The IV sending the blood through her body was cut, tamaranian blood pooling on the ground and her oxygen mask was shattered, leaving her gasping for air through the barely functioning tube.
" If you hurry, you might save her. " Slade said as he leapt out the window, vanishing into the night.
" Nurse, nurse!" Robin yelled as he tried frantically to keep what remained of the oxygen mask on her face, while at the same time fumbling with the IV.
" Hey now, get away from her!" the same desk nurses that he had apologized to in his haste to get to Starfire's room were now pushing him aside. " What happened here?" one demanded as she tore off the broken mask, replacing it with a new one, as the other nurse replaced the IV tube.
" Slade, he was trying to kill her. I don't know if I got here in time." he wheeled on them. " Didn't you hear anything?" his frustration increasing as the two shook their heads.
" Not a thing, the only disturbance was from a disorderly patient who had to be subdued."
" And when was that?"
" Less than ten minutes ago."
" And where is this patient now?"
" That's strictly confidential." The one nurse huffed as she monitored Starfire's vital signs. " Her vitals are still stable, but I'm not sure if she sustained any permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen. Gloria, please escort the young man out, we need the doctor here now."
Robin didn't protest as he was unceramoniously shoved outside the room, where Cyborg and the others were standing.
" Is Star okay?" Beastboy asked
Robin nodded. " Barely, Slade messed around with the equipment. They're running tests now to see if she recieved any permanent brain damage." He clenched his fists. " The nurses said something about a disorderly patient disturbing the peace less than ten minutes before I arrived, I'm sure Slade was behind the little display."
Cyborg shook his head. " Maybe we should stay here with you. Star's gonna need protection if Slade finds out that she lived."
" No, I'll watch her. Slade knows that I'll be here, and I don't think he'll risk the chance again. Just make sure that the hospital security knows about the situation." he turned to the first nurse coming out of the room. " Any news?" he asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.
" At the moment, we're uncertain. The doctor will know more in the next two to four hours."
" Can I stay outside her room?" Robin asked. " I know who's trying to harm her, and I'm fairly certain that he won't try it again if I'm near."
"Security will be placed in the room, but I'll allow you to seat yourself outside her room, just as long as you behave. The patients need their quiet."
Robin nodded. " I'll behave. " he said as he turned back to his teamates. " If Slade decides to try again, I'll give you a ring." he said, earning nods from the other Titans. Saying their goodbyes, Robin sat in the chair provided for him.
After a short wait, two security guards walked past him, paying no attention to him as they entered the room.
The doctor arrived a few hours after the incident to assure him that Starfire had escaped serious brain damage, but that she was still in a coma. Robin thanked him, knowing that there was only so much they could do, and that now it was just a matter of time.
The rest of the night passed quietly. Thus starting a continuing pattern for Robin. Each day he sat outside her door, awaiting any new news, and each day he was disappointed to hear the same, in a coma. The nights passed with him taking two quick ten minute breaks to eat, rest, and take a bathroom break. His teamates came frequently to provide comfort and keep him informed on any new action by Slade.
In the first week, only one villian tried to enter the hospital, an unknown calling himself K M. What it meant, Robin had no clue. Like all their current villians, he too was promised vast riches if he put an end to Starfire's life. After a brief tussle he was subdued by Robin's teamates. Starfire's condition, meanwhile, continued to improve, thanks in part to the multiple rounds of anti-venom shots that took care of the rest of the venom. There was, however, the unknown factor of the toll the venom took on her body, what damage she recieved.
The second week passed with only one incident, and it didn't involve any villian. You see, Robin's dedication to Starfire didn't allow him to do one basic thing, bath. After getting complaints from the local staff and the patients roaming the halls, Robin was ordered to freshen up. Since he only had the clothes on his back, he was told to return to the Tower. He protested, but reluctantly agreed when Raven said she would keep watch.
After enduring Beastboy's comments of how he smelt like a moldy block of tofu, Robin entered his room, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and hopped into the shower. He touched the scar on his chest, reminding himself to thank Raven for healing the wound while he was supposedly asleep the week prior. He smiled, knowing Raven, she probably knew he was watching, but it wouldn't hurt to thank her anyway.
Making sure he was decent, he grabbed a bagel and rushed back to the hospital. Raven greeted him with a slight nod of her head, before teleporting away. Robin shook his head. Raven was never one to talk, but even she, the ever neutral goth, seemed genuinely concerned for Starfire's wellbeing.
Nearing the third week, Robin felt more at ease. The doctors, being unsure of when, or if, Starfire would wake up, agreed after discussing the pros and cons of her removal from the hospital, that she was well enough, at least physically, to be transferred to the Tower.
" Hey guys." Robin said quietly, greeting his friends as the ambulance pulled up to the Tower. He leapt out, helping the paramedic with Starfire's stretcher. As the paramedic rolled her into the Tower elevator, Robin looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, a small smile graced her features, her hair tied up in a ponytail to keep it from getting tangled. It dawned on him that this was the first time he had gotten a good look at her, and it pained him to see the brace holding her wrist together and the bruises criss-crossing her visible arm.
As the doors slid open, Beastboy shoved aside some stuffed animals from her bed, allowing the medics to place her on her bed. Hooking up the equipment, Robin was given strict orders as to what IVs had to be changed, and what to look for if the monitors began to beep. He silently accepted the requirements, anything to make sure Starfire was comfortable.
Each day he watched, changing her bandages and making sure nothing went wrong. Raven did the job of sponge bathing Starfire, because everytime Robin got ready to do so, it felt wrong for him to view her in the buff without her permission.
By the fifth day of the week though, he had to leave Starfire's side. Just a few hours on the roof, a break from the hopeless feelings that swirled around him everytime he looked at her motionless body.
" Raven, could you watch over Starfire?" Robin asked quietly as she slid her door open.
" Yes, but why now?" Raven asked.
" I just..." he hesitated. " I just need...a break."
Raven nodded. Robin was sure she knew what he meant, but didn't pry.
As he made his way up the stairs, Robin felt the ache in his joints. I'm not surprised, I've barely rested since Starfire collapsed, and that was almost three weeks ago. He opened the door to the roof. Sitting down he let a smile grace his face as he recognized the ledge he was on. Thank god I got to her in time. he thought, remembering how he had stopped Starfire from going back home when she thought she was no longer needed.
" Hey Rob, how's it going?"
" Oh hey, Cyborg." Robin looked back at the cybernetic teen. " I guess I'm fine."
" Really?" there was a hint of sarcasm in Cyborg's voice. " My sensors say otherwise."
" Really?" Robin echoed his sarcasm, then shook his head. " No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." he apologized
" Not a problem, you're just a little testy because you need to rest. My sensors indicate severe sleep depriviation, you're gonna collapse soon."
" I can handle it."
" Are you sure?"
" I'm sure, I've functioned on minimal sleep before, and tell the others that as well."
" What makes you think they know?" Cyborg's eyebrow raised.
Robin chuckled softly. " Raven was easy, her eyes gave her away, and as for Beastboy, well once he sees Raven in Star's room, he'll bug her until she tells."
" That's true. Um," Cyborg looked nervous. " you know Star will be okay, right?"
Robin sighed, he knew someone would ask him. " I don't know, I really don't know anymore. Raven says she's fine physically, but that her chances of waking up from her coma are slim. I just don't think I can handle seeing Star like that, you know? I feel like I let her down." he turned his back to Cyborg, and brought his knees up to his chin, before staring out into the vast ocean waters surrounding the Tower. Behind him he heard the door close as Cyborg left him to his thoughts. She doesn't deserve someone like me. he thought before he heard the door slowly creak open again.
Sighing at the intrusion he said, " Cyborg, I told you. Tell Raven and Beastboy I don't want to talk about it."
And then a melodious voice from behind him asked." Then do you wish to talk to me?"
( The present. Robin has just finished his one-sided flashback conversation to the currently comatose Starfire.)
" And well, the rest you know." Robin continued to hold her hand. " I felt like such an idiot for doubting your...spirit. You're such a strong person, and I don't just mean physically. You selflessly put others first, even at the risk of your life."
Robin chuckled humorlessly. " While I kept pushing you away in my obsession to bring in Slade, and again I almost got you killed. How selfish is that?" Robin moved to pull his hand away and stopped, Starfire had his hand grasped firmly. He looked down and almost cried out in joy. " Star?" he asked, fearful that she would slip away again.
Starfire's emerald eyes stared back at him, a small weary smile on her face. " You were not selfish, Robin. If you had been, you would have left me to die, but you did not." With Robin's assistance she raised herself to a sitting position, her hand staying clasped with his. " Whether you wish to believe it or not, you are one of the most selfless people I have ever met."
" But I lied to you Star, I promised you that we'd take down Slade as a team. And yet, as soon as he issued a challenge, I distanced myself from the team again. That doesn't sound like a selfless person to me." Robin sighed, trying to wrest his hand from Star's, but she only held on tighter. " Star, please, you don't deserve me, I've betrayed you to many times, and...mph!" He was cut off in mid-sentence as Starfire pulled him against her body, before pressing her lips to his.
After a moment they parted, both with smiles on their faces.
Starfire spoke first. " Robin, everyone makes mistakes, even I. Or do you not remember my despair when I believed that the team no longer needed me. I was going to leave without saying goodbye, but you stopped me. You have shown me so many wonderous things, including our love for each other. If anything, it would be selfish of me to find you at fault for something a madman did. You have said it yourself, Slade always seems to be one step ahead of you, just don't dwell on it, someday we will take him down." She stifled a yawn.
Robin smiled, letting her lay back down. " Thanks Star, you always know how to make me feel better."
Starfire returned the smile. " Which is why we belong together, we are more alike than you realize, and I look forward to many more wonderous days, so long as I am with you." Her eyes began to drift shut.
" You're right, and I wouldn't have it any other way. " Robin answered back as he began to pull away.
" Don't."
Robin looked down, seeing a pleading look in Starfire's eyes.
" Will you stay with me, for at least this night?" she asked, barely awake.
" Sure,." Robin sat back down in the chair. " Even though there'll be rough times, we'll pull through as long as we're together. And I look forward to being together for a very long time."
" I agree."
Yes, finally done. And it only took me, okay, three more weeks than I thought it would take. But at least it's complete. And the funny thing is that this chapter was originally going to only be about six pages long, ah well. Anyway, if you read, please review. I'd like to know what people thought.
By Flying Star
Disclaimer: Oh please, like I really own Teen Titans. I don't even own a house. In other words, no.
The conclusion to my sequel is here. Truely this is the end. Sorry it took so long to finish, personal things, writer's block, and other things got in the way of finishing this story.
I've began a sortof retelling of my other story "Drifting", from each Titans views, starting with Raven. But, I will not change the ending, and it's not a sequel. He still dies and she still leaves.
After that, I have no clue as to what I'll write.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you're what kept me writing. This is Flying Star, signing out.
Conclusion/epilogue: Healing
( Inside the building with the other Titans)
Robin had to blink his light sensitive eyes as the darkness left.
" Starfire!!"
Robin's head whipped around as he saw her emerge from Raven's mirror, and promptly fall to her knees. He quickly got to his feet, tossing aside the helmet that had held him captive for the better part of the day.
Raven was kneeling over Starfire, keeping her from getting up. She didn't protest as Robin pushed past her, looking down into Star's face as she tried, but failed to speak.
" Shh, it's okay Star. I'm here, we're all her, just relax." he gently pushed down on her right shoulder, noticing the severity of her condition. Even though her eyes were unfocused, Robin felt relieved when Starfire nodded lightly, closing her eyes. Robin caught her as she fell unconcious. " Raven, a little help!" he called over his shoulder.
He felt her presence as he placed Starfire's body on the floor. " No need to shout." Raven muttered as she went to work on Starfire's injuries, Robin watching over her shoulder.
" Robin, dude, you okay?"
Robin turned to face Beastboy, who was eyeing his chest. He looked down, remembering his own condition. Blood was still seeping through the fabric of his, thankfully, regular outfit.
" Hey Raven, Robin needs mmph!" Beastboy glared at Robin as the boy wonder uncovered his mouth. " What's the big idea?" he grumbled.
Robin gestured for him to come closer. " Because, " he began in a whisper. " she's in a lot worse condition than me. I'm not going to let a little cut keep Raven from healing her."
" It's...too much."
Robin and Beastboy turned to see Raven swaying over Starfire's still form. She looked paler than usual. Without saying a word, Beastboy ran to her side, holding her steady as she smiled lightly. Robin wondered just what he had missed while he was away.
" What do you mean Raven, is she?" Robin's gaze went back to Starfire, noting with relief that her chest was still rising and falling steadily.
" She might recover."
" Might, " Robin interupted. "but she looks a lot better, aside from her wrist."
" It isn't that, Robin, " Raven replied, exasperated. " I was able to heal most of her wounds, though her wrist will have to be splinted. It's what happened to her internally that's more than I can handle."
" What is it?"
" Cobra venom." Cyborg interupted walking between the two. " My sensors show a substancial amount of it in her bloodstream."
" Yes, and that's the problem. I managed to purge most of it from her body, but her body's reacting to the venom in a strange way. To be blunt, she's in a coma, and I'm not sure if she's going to be able to awaken, and..." Raven stopped talking as Starfire's body began twitching. " This isn't good, her body's going into shock!" Raven's normally neutral face was showing a bit of emotion, fear.
" No." Robin's mouth tightened, watching in horror as Starfire's breathing suddenly grew erratic, her mouth opening and closing in silent gasps. " Cyborg!" he barked, his hysterical gaze making the cybernetic teen take a step back. " Call an ambulance! She needs medical attention, now!"
"But Rob, man I." Cyborg began
"Do it!" Robin growled. " She's getting worse. The doctors will know..." he trailed off as Cyborg nodded, calling for an ambulance on his arm phone.
Starfire suddenly exhaled sharply, her body going still as she stopped breathing.
" STAR!" Robin yelled, reaching for her head. In the distance he could vaguely hear the approaching sirens.
"Just hold on, Star," Robin took a deep breath to calm himself. He then bent down to perform CPR. "You'll pull through this," he said between blowing air into her lungs. He began pounding on her chest. " Come on, I know you're stronger than this, come on!" he continued pushing down until finally Starfire coughed, her eyes staying closed as she began to breath again.
" Thank god." Robin breathed as he felt himself being pushed back. Paramedics rushed by him, securing Starfire to a stretcher and began administering first aid.
" We have a problem."
" What?" Robin shook himself out of his stupor as he realized that a paramedic was addressing him. " What do you mean problem? She's going to be okay, right?" Robin didn't think he could handle any more problems.
" This girl...isn't from Earth. We don't know what blood type she has or anything."
" Her name is Starfire," Robin snapped, his patience already gone. " And I'm sure..."
" Not a problem, " Cyborg stepped between the two. " I have all her medical records downloaded, I can give you any information you need."
Robin sighed in relief as the paramedic nodded and turned back to his partners, taking Cyborg with him. As they passed him, Cyborg whispered, " Don't worry man, she'll be fine."
Robin nodded, but then ran to catch up with them. "Wait, I'm coming with you."
Cyborg turned back from the waiting ambulance. " Robin, I don't think..."
" I'm going and that's final."
Cyborg sighed." Alright, probably better you than me anyhow. I don't know how much weight the ambulance could handle. Just let me give them the information, and I'll have Beastboy haul me." he gave the lead paramedic Starfire's medical records and then turned to the green changling. " Okay, BB, I need transportation. And guess who's going to be it."
That brought a round of arguments as Beastboy refused to carry Cyborg, and Raven tried unsuccessfully to stop the bickering.
Robin smiled, shaking his head as he entered the ambulance. They'll figure it out. Immediately his smile faded as he saw the various equipment hooked to Starfire. Taking a seat next to her, he continued staring down at her comotose form. Star, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault, you should've let the others handle it. I'm sure Cyborg could've rigged up some way to help, or maybe Raven herself could've used..... he trailed off as he saw her brow furrow. Robin sighed, stroking her hand. At the touch, Starfire's facial features slackened, her mouth curving upward slightly. And here I am, blaming myself for something I couldn't control. I should really be thanking you, you went through so much to bring me back. I can't even begin to repay you, maybe I'll never be able to.
His thoughts were brought to a screeching halt as the ambulance suddenly swerved hard, bringing various needles, IVs, and Robin to the floor. Everything grew quiet as the vehicle came to a halt, it's engine dying as steam rose from the front.
Robin quickly brought out his communicator. " Raven report!"
"zrt....HIVE...blocking traffic. Mammoth crushed the ambulance front. Driver's unconscious, we're engaging them in battle."
" Damn," Robin pushed himself up, realizing for the first time that the attendants were unconscious as well. His gaze turned to Starfire, fearing the worst. " No Starfire!" Her body had fallen off the stretcher, tearing all the tubes and wires out on impact. Robin reached for the heart machine, placing the monitors back on Star's chest. Immediately a long steady drone filled the silent vehicle. Practically falling over himself, Robin again began CPR, almost hyperventilating as he tried desperately to start her heart. " Come on, come on!" sweat was pouring down his face as he continually pushed down on her chest, stopping occasionally to check for a pulse.
Nothing.
Teeth clenched, his mind refusing to believe it, Robin kept blowing air into her lungs and pushing down on her chest, until he felt a hand grasp his shoulder.
Dizzy from a lack of oxygen, he looked up into the concerned eyes of the now conscious attendants.
" Don't worry, we'll take it from here. She won't die on our watch." the attentant's tone of voice was soft, sympathetic.
Robin nodded, relieved to see the two putting Starfire back onto the stretcher. One continued CPR, while the other hooked up the remaining tubes and wires. After a few angonizing moments the lead attendant finally straightened. " Got a pulse, it's weak but it's there." He turned to Robin, who let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. " Unfortunately we have to call for another ambulance. And I don't know how long it'll take to get here. Plus your friend suffered some broken bones from her unsecured fall, would you like me to..." the attendant trailed off as Robin pushed the back doors open, turning back to say, " Just make sure she's comfortable, I'll take care of our unwanted guests."
And then Robin leapt out, his eyes taking in the scene. Raven and Beastboy had successfully subdued Jinx, and Mammoth was reeling from Cyborg's punches. That only left the technical genious, " Gizmo." Robin growled as the pint sized protagonist swooped down at him, his mechanical wings firing random bursts of laser fire. Without another word Robin pulled out his staff, deflecting the shots as he leapt onto the back of the low flying Gizmo.
" Hey, what do you think you're doing, you crud-licker!" Gizmo protested as Robin reached for a small square panel on the wings.
" Taking you down." Robin snarled as he pulled the panel open, tearing out any wires he could find. Immediately the wings began smoking before coming apart at the seams. Gizmo yelped in pain as his body hit the ground, rolling a few feet. He yelped again as Robin grabbed him by the cuff of his outfit.
" Why did you do this!?" Robin ordered, his gaze actually making Gizmo gulp nervously.
" It was Slade. He told us to!"
" Why!?" Robin yelled as Gizmo struggled to free himself.
" What do you think, snot-muncher. For the money, he offered us a tidy sum if we took care of your girlfriend." Gizmo leered.
" She's not my...." Robin grit his teeth together as he heard the welcome sound of sirens approaching. " I'll let the police handle you." He deposited Gizmo next to the defeated Jinx and Mammoth, tying all three together.
"Robin, how's Starfire?" he heard Beastboy say.
Robin turned to his teamates, keeping his emotions in check. " She's..fine now. " he noticed the approaching police cruiser was being followed by another ambulance. " I've gotta go. I'll meet you at the hospital."
The others nodded, figuring it best not to question him.
Robin hopped into the waiting ambulance, watching as Beastboy morphed into an eagle and took flight. Raven followed, carrying Cyborg in a bubble of black magic. He turned back to his motionless friend, his mind full of worry. Please please, let nothing else happen on the way to the hospital. He sat down on a cot, again watching her breath evenly. The ambulance pulled out, heading for the hospital, the rest of the trip, luckily, was uneventful.
So focused was Robin on her figure, that he didn't even realize that the ambulance had come to a stop. An attendant shook him lightly, Robin's glazed eyes turned upward.
" We've arrived, and your friends are here to greet you." The attendant said quietly as he and his partner wheeled Starfire's stretcher out of the ambulance.
Robin followed, almost in a daze as his teamates joined him.
" Robin, is it just me, or does Starfire look worse now?" Cyborg muttered quietly
Robin remained quiet, quickly following the paramedics into the hospital.
"Guess that answers that." Cyborg and the others followed at a slower pace, coming to the front desk where Robin was tapping his foot impatiently and scowling.
"What's the matter, Rob?" Cyborg said.
Robin's scowling face traveled to Cyborg's sympathetic face. " They won't let me in the room to see Starfire." He muttered harshly, giving the nurse behind the desk the evil eye. Wisely she ignored him, and instead turned to Cyborg.
" Your friend is being taken care of. We can't allow anyone in the room at the moment, patient safety, you understand?"
Cyborg nodded before taking ahold of Robin's hand. " Come on man, they'll do their best. Let's just take a seat in the waiting room."
Robin tried to free his hand, but Cyborg held on saying, " Robin, do you think Star would like seeing you like this? The doctor's will help her, and we can help her by staying put and waiting for the results."
Robin muttered something unintelligible, but allowed Cyborg to guide him to the waiting room, where they all took a seat.
" Mommy mommy, look, it's the Teen Titans!"
Robin looked up as a middle aged woman shushed a child who looked to be no older than 5. " Debra dear, there's people here who need you to be quiet. Besides I believe these nice people need their privacy."
" Okay mommy." Debra looked crestfallen as she returned to her seat.
" Actually ma'am, I'd be happy to talk to your daughter." Robin said as he knelt down next to Debra's chair. " So, how old are you? You look to be about five."
Debra looked up, her face lighting up. " I'm five and a half." she stated proudly. " I turn six in three months."
" Oh really, " Robin smiled, the first genuine smile since the ambulance ride. " and why, if I may ask, are you here?" Instantly he regretted asking as her face lost it's smile, her mouth turning downward.
" I have a in..inc..a bad disease." Debra turned away.
" She has a rare form of cancer, it's incurable." her mother whispered into Robin's ear. " The doctors need to do tests once a month to see how far it's progressed."
" Oh, I'm really sorry. I wish I could do something for you."
" I wanna see the red haired one!"
Robin and Debra's mother turned around, realizing that Debra was now leaning forward on her chair, a small smile gracing her features again as her gaze flashed between each titan.
" I don't see her, is she visiting a friend?" It was an innocent question, but Robin felt his heart clench in his chest.
" N..no, she's um, she's sick right now." Robin stuttered uneasily as he saw her wide eyes turn to him. " I...ah." he was starting to shake a little, his grief beginning to overwhelm him again.
" He means that she's getting treatment right now." Raven interrupted, much to Robin's relief. She gave him a slight nod, at which Robin turned back to Debra, who had her head down in silent contemplation.
" I'm gonna go sit down now, but if you like I could give you an autograph."
The little girl's face raised up again, her eyes shining. " Oooh, I'd love that." she giggled, grinning.
Robin grinned back as he wrote his name on a piece of paper, along with the words, Feel better soon. He then passed the sheet to Beastboy, who put his signature along with his message, you rock, Debra. Raven was next, she simply wrote her name, while Cyborg echoed Robin's words.
The paper came back to Robin, which he carefully folded and then handed to Debra. After a moment of reading, she looked up at him, her eyes now glistening with unshed tears. Then, in a surprise move, she lunged at him, wrapping her small arms around his neck. " Thank you so much." she whispered as she nuzzled his neck for a second, before letting go and returning to her mother, the grin on her face as bright as ever.
Robin kept grinning as well, taking a seat next to Raven. " Thanks for bailing me out there." he whispered.
Raven turned her head slightly. " Just don't think of this as a regular occurance." She whispered back, just as the door to the waiting room opened.
A short, slightly balding doctor walked into the room. " Debra Hastening."
The look of happiness on the little girl's face vanished as she stood up from her chair, her mother following close behind.
Robin leaned over as she passed, giving her a wide grin. She nodded, mouthing "thanks" as she walked out of the room.
As the door closed Beastboy turned to Robin. "Dude, why didn't you tell her that everything would be alright, that she didn't need to worry?"
Robin's smile faded. "Because, I can't give her false hope, BB. Some diseases don't go away, you don't get better. Unfortunately she's going to have a tough road ahead of her, but I could tell just by the way she acted that she knew the truth about what she has. She's knows there's no miracle cure and that each visit just shows her how long she has to live. It's a harsh reality, but I believe she can still have many good years ahead of her before the inevitable."
Beastboy winced. " Yeah, I guess you're right. Let's just hope Star's okay."
" Only time will tell." Raven muttered under her breath." It depends on her will to live, amongst other things." she added quietly.
Robin turned to her, a look of surprise and suspicion on his face. " Is there something you're fogetting to tell me, Raven?" his eyes narrowing.
Raven didn't look up, and instead just shrugged. " Maybe."
"That reminds me,"Robin continued, trying to keep the weariness out of his voice, " when Star tried to use a starbolt earlier, nothing happened. Could that have anything to do with the shape she's in?"
Raven nodded, but kept her head down. " Remember Robin, Tamaranians need sunlight from time to time. And though they can function without it for awhile, it's used to fuel her attacks and help her heal her wounds. From what I saw in your mind, there wasn't any sunshine, just a encompassing darkness. Without the sunlight, and with the unknown variable of the venom coursing through her body, she grew weaker and weaker."
Robin blinked. " I guess that makes sense, in theory. But Star's been able to use her starbolts at night without a problem."
"Not when you have unknown factors. The venom was just one thing that her body had to suddenly find a way to fight. But as I mentioned before, time flowed differently while she was in your head, to her body mere minutes felt like hours, hours like days. While she didn't really feel it, her body grew increasingly fatigued by this contrast."
Robin nodded.
The door opened again, this time producing a taller, younger doctor. " I'm looking for the one called Cyborg?"
Cyborg stood up. " Yeah, that's me. Is anything wrong?" he asked, seeing Robin flinch out of the corner of his eye.
" We're having a...problem with her medical records. Could I discuss the matter with you, since you gave us the information?"
" Sure."
" Okay, follow me."
The two left the room, leaving Robin sandwiched between Beastboy and Raven. " Can this day get any worse?" he muttered darkly.
The door to the waiting room burst open. " Alright! Don't nobody move!"
Robin's head jerked up, recognizing the figure before him. " Oh god, not now." he groaned, standing up, Beastboy and Raven doing the same.
" Now be a kind audience, and direct me to my lovely assistant, the darling alien Starfire." Mumbo grinned as he pulled out his magic wand. " I have a job to do, nothing personal. " he laughed, turning a stack of magazines into a small dog...with fangs bigger than it's head. " Now, hand her over." the grin had dropped from his face as the creature turned to the Titans, drool falling from it's almost comically stretched mouth.
" Dude, what the heck's going on? Did Slade e-mail every villian in town? Actually, don't answer that. " Beastboy exclaimed before turning into a tiger. He leapt forward, lashing out with his paw, which hit the dog's right fang, shattering it.
The dog stood for a moment, it's eyes wide in disbelief, before it turned, lunging at Raven. She quickly brought up a shield, and the dog, unable to stop its self, hit it dead on and slid down. It then stood up, and turned back into the pile of magazines.
" Hey, quit running my show." Mumbo complained as he directed his wand at the front desk. " Let's see how you fare when I have a captive audien....OOOF!" the magician was so engrossed in his rantings that he had failed to see the approaching Robin, who swiftly disarmed him.
After breaking the wand, which turned Mumbo back into his normal self, Robin grabbed his shirt. " Let me guess, Slade offered you a bunch of money to take care of Starfire."
Mumbo nodded, sweatdropping as Robin tied him up. At that moment the door burst open again. Robin began to reach for a birdarang before realizing that it was just the security guards. " Late as always." he muttered as he took a seat, watching as Mumbo was swiftly escorted out.
As the door swung shut, Cyborg squeezed his way in. " Man, what happened here?" he asked, taking in the overturned chairs and scattered magazines.
" Nothing special, just another villain trying to off Starfire." Robin grumbled as he grabbed a shredded magazine. " Any news?"
" Yeah," Cyborg began, his tone somber. " They needed another pint of tamaranian blood, which we luckily had at the tower, I sent a paramedic to get it. Plus they needed the skelatal makeup of her body to help them with the broken bones. But, " he continued, seeing the worry increase in Robin's eyes, " she's stable at the moment. They're administering anti- venom shots to try to neutralize the rest of the venom in her body. The next twenty-fours hours are critical, and they said it's best that we go home and wait for news on her condition."
" I'm with you." Beastboy said quietly, taking a quick glance at Raven.
" I'll go as well." she said, shutting her book.
Cyborg's gaze turned to Robin, who returned his gaze with a stubborn scowl. " I take it from your face that leaving is not an option for you?" Cyborg asked, recieving a slight nod from the boy wonder. " Okay, we'll keep in touch, and don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine in no time." Even to him the words sounded hollow as he and the others left the room.
As soon as the door shut, Robin sighed. Star, please be okay. You can't leave me. he thought as he laid back in the chair. Trying to get comfortable was almost impossible, but he managed as he closed his eyes, sleep finally overtaking him.
(Two hours later)
The shrill beeping of his communicator was the first thing to drag him from his restful slumber, the second: the harsh voice of the desk nurse.
" Please sir, I must ask you to turn off your cell phone."
" Huh, whazat. " Robin groggily reached for his Titan communicator, struggling to clear his sleep addled mind. " Robin here. " he muttered, blinking until Cyborg's image became clear.
" Robin man, we've had a run-in with two more villians looking to ice your girlfriend."
" She's not my, wait..two more, when?"
"Sir, I must really ask you to..."
Robin's fatigued gaze traveled up to the nurse's face for a moment, at which she paled before saying more quietly, " You can finish your call, but then you must shut off your cell."
Robin nodded as Cyborg continued, " On our way back to the Tower, first Cinderblock and then Plasmus."
"And you decided to tell me now." Robin grit his teeth. How many did Slade tempt?
" Well ah, you see, it wasn't an easy battle, and then the police needed us to file a report and..."
" It's okay." Robin held up his hand to silence Cyborg. " So why did you call me to tell me?"
" We figured since Slade really seems to have it in for you, or more specifically Starfire, that he might send more of his goons your way. In other words, watch your back."
" I'll do that." Robin answered as he pocketed the communicator. " Just what I need." he muttered. "What else could happen?"
The door suddenly opened, prompting him to reach for a birdarang.
" Is that any way to treat your guest." A deep sinister voice called out. About a dozen shadowed figures suddenly appeared, the hallway light illuminating the insignia on their uniforms.
"Slade." Robin growled as the first of Slade's robots leapt at him, only to go sailing through the open window as Robin ducked.
" I see you've had quite a night. " Slade chuckled as he appeared in the room, his robotic minions going to stand on either side.
" Why? Why all this? Star did nothing to you." Robin argued as he took a defensive pose, but not before pressing the silent call button on his communicator. " This is between you and me."
" Oh, but that's where you're wrong, my boy. She interupted months of careful planning, and for that she must...." Slade jumped back, narrowly avoiding Raven's black energy claw. " So, your friends have decided to join us, good. Perhaps we should take this outside?" Slade threw a few small balls that suddenly erupted, throwing up a big flash of light.
Blinking to clear his vision, Robin saw the room was empty, save for his friends. Though now all the windows were open. "How did you get here so fast?"
" Raven teleported us." Beastboy answered
Well, come on follow me." Robin called out as he leapt onto the windowsill, looking down he saw nothing, but a quick glance up told him what he needed to know. " He's on the roof, get up there any way you can." he threw a rappling hook, quickly ensnaring a ledge closer to the roof. A sideways glance showed Raven levating to the roof, while Beastboy, now in teradactyl form, carried Cyborg to the top.
As he drew closer to the top, something nagged at Robin, that he was missing something. He shook his head. Now was not the time. he thought as they reached the roof. Before them, Slade waited patiently, his robots now on every ledge of the roof.
" So, shall we begin?" Slade didn't wait for an answer as his robots suddenly surged forward.
Raven took out three with her magic before being knocked to the ground. A robot aimed a laser pistol at her, but never managed to fire a shot as a green Tyrannosaurus tore it to bits. " Thanks." Raven muttered as the dinosaur winked at her and did a little dance. The dino then blinked in surprise as Raven called out her chant, tearing apart a pair of robots aiming for his unprotected back. He sweatdropped before turning back to the seemingly endless flow of mechanical beings.
Robin slammed his staff into the head of a robot before tossing a birdarang. It sliced through the heads of a half dozen robots, and took out the legs of three more.
" This is getting us nowhere!" Cyborg yelled as he blasted four robots off the roof, then groaned as four more took their place. " There's too many!"
" I don't care how many there are! We have to keep them away from Starfire!" Robin stopped, his blood running cold as he noticed one person was missing. " Oh shit! Why didn't I see it before!" he tossed another robot before calling out to the others. "This was all a distraction so that Slade could go after Starfire! Keep fighting, I've gotta help Star!"
Quickly rappling down the building, Robin practically flew into the waiting room. Startling a couple who had just entered.
" Sir, what's the meaning of..."
The nurse shrunk back as Robin grabbed the counter ledge. " He's going after her...I mean Star...Slade. Gotta get to her and..."
"Sir," the nurse, who had gotten over the initial shock of his entrance, calmly grabbed his wrist. " I can't help you if you don't calm down. Now, what is it that you have to say?"
Robin took a deep breath, simutaniously glad for the interruption and frustrated by it. " That man who came in here, he's going after Starfire. He's threatened serious harm to her, I have to get to her. Please I need to know her room number." he was pleading, and he knew it. But he had to get to Starfire, before Slade killed her.
" Normally I would say let security take care of it, but from what I've seen I don't think they could help much. I'll still call for them but I'll tell you the number. It's room 614, fourth floor."
" Thanks." Robin said as he left the room. " You may of just saved a life."
" Good luck." he heard the nurse call out as he opened the stairwell door. " No time for the elevator." he said taking the stairs two at a time. " One, two, three, ah four. " he threw the door open, looking at the first room number. " 300, I've got a ways to go, and Slade's already got a head start."
Swiftly making his way down the hall, apologizing to the desk nurses as he passed, Robin finally made it to the room, everything seemed quiet. Too quiet. he thought as he reached for the door.
A soft click was heard as he opened it, prepared for the worst, which was why he was suprised to see the room undisturbed. " I could've sworn..." he ducked as Slade's fist just missed his head.
" Ah Robin, you kept me waiting."
" What did you do to Starfire?" Robin was fed up with Slade's cool demeanor. " Tell me."
" Why Robin, I'm hurt. Can't I visit your dear little friend?"
Robin ignored Slade as he shoved past him, going to Starfire's side. It was then that he saw Slade's handiwork. The IV sending the blood through her body was cut, tamaranian blood pooling on the ground and her oxygen mask was shattered, leaving her gasping for air through the barely functioning tube.
" If you hurry, you might save her. " Slade said as he leapt out the window, vanishing into the night.
" Nurse, nurse!" Robin yelled as he tried frantically to keep what remained of the oxygen mask on her face, while at the same time fumbling with the IV.
" Hey now, get away from her!" the same desk nurses that he had apologized to in his haste to get to Starfire's room were now pushing him aside. " What happened here?" one demanded as she tore off the broken mask, replacing it with a new one, as the other nurse replaced the IV tube.
" Slade, he was trying to kill her. I don't know if I got here in time." he wheeled on them. " Didn't you hear anything?" his frustration increasing as the two shook their heads.
" Not a thing, the only disturbance was from a disorderly patient who had to be subdued."
" And when was that?"
" Less than ten minutes ago."
" And where is this patient now?"
" That's strictly confidential." The one nurse huffed as she monitored Starfire's vital signs. " Her vitals are still stable, but I'm not sure if she sustained any permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen. Gloria, please escort the young man out, we need the doctor here now."
Robin didn't protest as he was unceramoniously shoved outside the room, where Cyborg and the others were standing.
" Is Star okay?" Beastboy asked
Robin nodded. " Barely, Slade messed around with the equipment. They're running tests now to see if she recieved any permanent brain damage." He clenched his fists. " The nurses said something about a disorderly patient disturbing the peace less than ten minutes before I arrived, I'm sure Slade was behind the little display."
Cyborg shook his head. " Maybe we should stay here with you. Star's gonna need protection if Slade finds out that she lived."
" No, I'll watch her. Slade knows that I'll be here, and I don't think he'll risk the chance again. Just make sure that the hospital security knows about the situation." he turned to the first nurse coming out of the room. " Any news?" he asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.
" At the moment, we're uncertain. The doctor will know more in the next two to four hours."
" Can I stay outside her room?" Robin asked. " I know who's trying to harm her, and I'm fairly certain that he won't try it again if I'm near."
"Security will be placed in the room, but I'll allow you to seat yourself outside her room, just as long as you behave. The patients need their quiet."
Robin nodded. " I'll behave. " he said as he turned back to his teamates. " If Slade decides to try again, I'll give you a ring." he said, earning nods from the other Titans. Saying their goodbyes, Robin sat in the chair provided for him.
After a short wait, two security guards walked past him, paying no attention to him as they entered the room.
The doctor arrived a few hours after the incident to assure him that Starfire had escaped serious brain damage, but that she was still in a coma. Robin thanked him, knowing that there was only so much they could do, and that now it was just a matter of time.
The rest of the night passed quietly. Thus starting a continuing pattern for Robin. Each day he sat outside her door, awaiting any new news, and each day he was disappointed to hear the same, in a coma. The nights passed with him taking two quick ten minute breaks to eat, rest, and take a bathroom break. His teamates came frequently to provide comfort and keep him informed on any new action by Slade.
In the first week, only one villian tried to enter the hospital, an unknown calling himself K M. What it meant, Robin had no clue. Like all their current villians, he too was promised vast riches if he put an end to Starfire's life. After a brief tussle he was subdued by Robin's teamates. Starfire's condition, meanwhile, continued to improve, thanks in part to the multiple rounds of anti-venom shots that took care of the rest of the venom. There was, however, the unknown factor of the toll the venom took on her body, what damage she recieved.
The second week passed with only one incident, and it didn't involve any villian. You see, Robin's dedication to Starfire didn't allow him to do one basic thing, bath. After getting complaints from the local staff and the patients roaming the halls, Robin was ordered to freshen up. Since he only had the clothes on his back, he was told to return to the Tower. He protested, but reluctantly agreed when Raven said she would keep watch.
After enduring Beastboy's comments of how he smelt like a moldy block of tofu, Robin entered his room, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and hopped into the shower. He touched the scar on his chest, reminding himself to thank Raven for healing the wound while he was supposedly asleep the week prior. He smiled, knowing Raven, she probably knew he was watching, but it wouldn't hurt to thank her anyway.
Making sure he was decent, he grabbed a bagel and rushed back to the hospital. Raven greeted him with a slight nod of her head, before teleporting away. Robin shook his head. Raven was never one to talk, but even she, the ever neutral goth, seemed genuinely concerned for Starfire's wellbeing.
Nearing the third week, Robin felt more at ease. The doctors, being unsure of when, or if, Starfire would wake up, agreed after discussing the pros and cons of her removal from the hospital, that she was well enough, at least physically, to be transferred to the Tower.
" Hey guys." Robin said quietly, greeting his friends as the ambulance pulled up to the Tower. He leapt out, helping the paramedic with Starfire's stretcher. As the paramedic rolled her into the Tower elevator, Robin looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, a small smile graced her features, her hair tied up in a ponytail to keep it from getting tangled. It dawned on him that this was the first time he had gotten a good look at her, and it pained him to see the brace holding her wrist together and the bruises criss-crossing her visible arm.
As the doors slid open, Beastboy shoved aside some stuffed animals from her bed, allowing the medics to place her on her bed. Hooking up the equipment, Robin was given strict orders as to what IVs had to be changed, and what to look for if the monitors began to beep. He silently accepted the requirements, anything to make sure Starfire was comfortable.
Each day he watched, changing her bandages and making sure nothing went wrong. Raven did the job of sponge bathing Starfire, because everytime Robin got ready to do so, it felt wrong for him to view her in the buff without her permission.
By the fifth day of the week though, he had to leave Starfire's side. Just a few hours on the roof, a break from the hopeless feelings that swirled around him everytime he looked at her motionless body.
" Raven, could you watch over Starfire?" Robin asked quietly as she slid her door open.
" Yes, but why now?" Raven asked.
" I just..." he hesitated. " I just need...a break."
Raven nodded. Robin was sure she knew what he meant, but didn't pry.
As he made his way up the stairs, Robin felt the ache in his joints. I'm not surprised, I've barely rested since Starfire collapsed, and that was almost three weeks ago. He opened the door to the roof. Sitting down he let a smile grace his face as he recognized the ledge he was on. Thank god I got to her in time. he thought, remembering how he had stopped Starfire from going back home when she thought she was no longer needed.
" Hey Rob, how's it going?"
" Oh hey, Cyborg." Robin looked back at the cybernetic teen. " I guess I'm fine."
" Really?" there was a hint of sarcasm in Cyborg's voice. " My sensors say otherwise."
" Really?" Robin echoed his sarcasm, then shook his head. " No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." he apologized
" Not a problem, you're just a little testy because you need to rest. My sensors indicate severe sleep depriviation, you're gonna collapse soon."
" I can handle it."
" Are you sure?"
" I'm sure, I've functioned on minimal sleep before, and tell the others that as well."
" What makes you think they know?" Cyborg's eyebrow raised.
Robin chuckled softly. " Raven was easy, her eyes gave her away, and as for Beastboy, well once he sees Raven in Star's room, he'll bug her until she tells."
" That's true. Um," Cyborg looked nervous. " you know Star will be okay, right?"
Robin sighed, he knew someone would ask him. " I don't know, I really don't know anymore. Raven says she's fine physically, but that her chances of waking up from her coma are slim. I just don't think I can handle seeing Star like that, you know? I feel like I let her down." he turned his back to Cyborg, and brought his knees up to his chin, before staring out into the vast ocean waters surrounding the Tower. Behind him he heard the door close as Cyborg left him to his thoughts. She doesn't deserve someone like me. he thought before he heard the door slowly creak open again.
Sighing at the intrusion he said, " Cyborg, I told you. Tell Raven and Beastboy I don't want to talk about it."
And then a melodious voice from behind him asked." Then do you wish to talk to me?"
( The present. Robin has just finished his one-sided flashback conversation to the currently comatose Starfire.)
" And well, the rest you know." Robin continued to hold her hand. " I felt like such an idiot for doubting your...spirit. You're such a strong person, and I don't just mean physically. You selflessly put others first, even at the risk of your life."
Robin chuckled humorlessly. " While I kept pushing you away in my obsession to bring in Slade, and again I almost got you killed. How selfish is that?" Robin moved to pull his hand away and stopped, Starfire had his hand grasped firmly. He looked down and almost cried out in joy. " Star?" he asked, fearful that she would slip away again.
Starfire's emerald eyes stared back at him, a small weary smile on her face. " You were not selfish, Robin. If you had been, you would have left me to die, but you did not." With Robin's assistance she raised herself to a sitting position, her hand staying clasped with his. " Whether you wish to believe it or not, you are one of the most selfless people I have ever met."
" But I lied to you Star, I promised you that we'd take down Slade as a team. And yet, as soon as he issued a challenge, I distanced myself from the team again. That doesn't sound like a selfless person to me." Robin sighed, trying to wrest his hand from Star's, but she only held on tighter. " Star, please, you don't deserve me, I've betrayed you to many times, and...mph!" He was cut off in mid-sentence as Starfire pulled him against her body, before pressing her lips to his.
After a moment they parted, both with smiles on their faces.
Starfire spoke first. " Robin, everyone makes mistakes, even I. Or do you not remember my despair when I believed that the team no longer needed me. I was going to leave without saying goodbye, but you stopped me. You have shown me so many wonderous things, including our love for each other. If anything, it would be selfish of me to find you at fault for something a madman did. You have said it yourself, Slade always seems to be one step ahead of you, just don't dwell on it, someday we will take him down." She stifled a yawn.
Robin smiled, letting her lay back down. " Thanks Star, you always know how to make me feel better."
Starfire returned the smile. " Which is why we belong together, we are more alike than you realize, and I look forward to many more wonderous days, so long as I am with you." Her eyes began to drift shut.
" You're right, and I wouldn't have it any other way. " Robin answered back as he began to pull away.
" Don't."
Robin looked down, seeing a pleading look in Starfire's eyes.
" Will you stay with me, for at least this night?" she asked, barely awake.
" Sure,." Robin sat back down in the chair. " Even though there'll be rough times, we'll pull through as long as we're together. And I look forward to being together for a very long time."
" I agree."
Yes, finally done. And it only took me, okay, three more weeks than I thought it would take. But at least it's complete. And the funny thing is that this chapter was originally going to only be about six pages long, ah well. Anyway, if you read, please review. I'd like to know what people thought.