Once the Titan's had returned home from Bruce's mansion, the girls had pleaded tiredness and gone to bed. The male Titan's could understand Starfire and Terra being tired—they had danced almost the entire night—but Raven had done very little, and yet, if it was possible, she appeared even more exhausted than the other two. All three guys were more than slightly worried for their gothic friend.

In any case, the boys, had not felt the least bit tired, and had sat down around the television after making some popcorn.

During a commercial break, Cyborg finally brought up a topic that was on all of their minds. "The girls sure looked good tonight," he commented. He grinned in remembrance. "Raven was quite a sight." Wait, what am I saying? Raven's just like a sister to me, isn't she? Cyborg asked himself.

"I thought she looked very pretty," Robin commented cautiously, remembering his involuntary comment to her earlier. Hold it. I'm with Star. Raven saw to that. She said second thoughts were to be expected, but…Robin tried to quiet his racing thoughts.

"Yeah," Beast Boy said, just as quietly. "She did look…" Stunning. He changed the word at the last minute, "…nice." No, I like Terra, don't I? Beast Boy thought to himself.

All of them were shaken out of their thoughts by an explosion on the TV. Their action program had come back on, and none of them had noticed.

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Raven woke the next morning with a splitting headache. She stumbled to her bathroom for some aspirin and grimaced at the number of prescription pill bottles that were in the cabinet. Her hand reached passed the medications for various symptoms—nausea, fatigue, chills, disrupted sleep, even the one for dizziness she had slipped out to get only a few hours before—and reached for the bottle containing migraine pills. Swallowing two with a glass of water, she changed and headed out to get some tea.

No one else was up as she walked into the kitchen.

Sipping from a warm mug on the couch, Raven gave a happy sigh as she closed her eyes, breathing in the aroma of her tea. She opened her eyes when she felt someone sit next to her.

"Hi, Beast Boy," Raven said, a bit surprised to see him up so early, especially after their late night yesterday. "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Um, yeah," he said looking down at his feet. But he didn't continue.

"You look tired," Raven commented. "Maybe you should go back to bed."

The green boy shook his head. "I still wouldn't be able to sleep. Last night, I started thinking…" he trailed off. Raven was refrained from teasing him on his last comment only by the serious look on his face. She waited for him to continue. "Raven, I—I don't think I like Terra like everyone thinks I do."

Now Raven was confused. "What?"

He seemed to have trouble saying what he meant. "After Cyborg and I went into your mind through your mirror, and I got to see more of the real you…I think that's when…I…started to like you…as more than a friend."

Raven's face showed absolute surprise. But when she opened her mouth to protest, Beast Boy cut her off. "I know I've been interested in Terra and all, but that was just because, well, she seemed to like me as much as I liked her. I took the first person who showed me feelings in return." His words started to speed up in his nervousness. "I know it was stupid of me. But now, the more time I spend with Terra, the more time I want to spend with you. And seeing you in that dress last night, I kept thinking how much more, well, beautiful, you looked than Terra," he finished, an immense blush covering his cheeks. A blush that matched Raven's own.

"But Beast Boy," Raven protested through her shock, "Terra really cares about you. She needs to be with you, and you with her."

"Why? I know I never should have gone out with her, and I don't want to hurt her feelings, but…"

"No. Beast Boy, listen to me. You two are perfect for each other. Stay together, please." Raven gave a last feeble protest.

"I can't. I think…no, I know…I love y—" Raven fled the room.

How did that happen? she questioned herself. I didn't mean for us to become anything more than friends. Raven sat on her bed, head in her hands, completely confused.

A knock sounded on her door. Raven let out a sigh and tried to school her features to their usual calmness. "Come in."

Robin entered tentatively, not having been in Raven's room before. "Yes?" she asked when Robin didn't speak. "Are you having trouble with Star?" Raven prompted.

He considered her words for a moment. "That's one way to put it." He sighed and sat on the bed next to her. He looked at her, his masked eyes locking with her lilac ones. "Remember last night, when you said I was probably just having second thoughts? Well, I think it's more than that."

Raven rose an eyebrow. "I'm sure you'll get over it. You and Star were meant to be together. She really cares about you, Robin."

Robin continued as if he hadn't heard her. "Everything Star does, I find myself…comparing her…to you. The way she smiles, the way she looks at me, everything she says. Last night, as I danced with her, I kept wondering what it would be like to dance with you…"

"Wha—what are you saying?" Raven asked, terrified that she didn't want to know.

"Raven, I lov—" Raven again fled.

What is going on? Something must be going on. Raven thought frantically as she walked speedily down the hall. I'm so confused. Who does the consultant go to when she's the one who needs consulting?

Raven was so lost in her thoughts that she nearly ran into Cyborg. She sighed in relief. Cyborg could surely help her with her problem. But just as she opened her mouth to talk, Cyborg got a few words in first.

"Raven, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Um…sure," Raven said warily. She tried desperately to quell her worry. He probably just wanted to talk about electronics. Hopefully.

"Okay," he said. "I'm not quite sure how to say this, so…I'll just say it. I—I love you, Rae."

Raven felt her jaw slacken. "As…a sister…right?" She added, almost desperately.

Cyborg shook his head. "No, Rae. I mean it. The other night, I just…couldn't stop thinking about you."

"I-I-I need some time to think," she stammered, still trying to recover from her shock. Raven brushed past the hybrid and rushed to the roof.

Raven sat outside on the edge of the Tower. What am I going to do? She repeatedly thought, cursing herself. Her heart beat hard in her chest, and her breath came a bit short, though she tried her best to will herself calm.

Suddenly alarms sounded below. Raven slowly made her way downstairs. She stood behind the others, still dwelling in her thoughts, as a familiar black and orange mask appeared on the screen.

"Slade?! You're supposed to be in jail!" Robin shouted at his nemesis.

"Please, Robin," came the darkly familiar voice. "As if that cell could hold me."

"If it was that easy to break out of, it certainly took you long enough," Cyborg challenged.

"Oh, I could have escaped any time I wanted. I was simply biding my time…" He said in a confident drawl.

"Biding your time for what, Slade?" Robin demanded.

"To dispose of the only one standing in the way of you becoming my apprentice," Slade replied. The Titans looked at each other. "Tsk tsk, Titans. I expected more from you after all these years. There is only one of you, besides Robin, who poses a threat to me." His eyes locked on the dark girl standing behind the others.

"Raven?" They asked in unison.

"What did you mean by 'biding your time,' Slade?" Robin had not forgotten his earlier words.

"Yeah," Beast Boy added. "If anything, Raven's only gotten stronger after all this time."

A look of mock surprise crossed Slade's face. "She hasn't told you?" He smiled evilly. "She's becoming weaker by the day. Aren't you, Raven?"

Raven said nothing, but visible paled.

"I'll be coming for you soon enough." Slade's image was replaced by a blank screen.

"Friend Raven?" Starfire asked worriedly. "What was Slade speaking of?"

Raven's migraine became a pounding inside her head. Before she could say anything, her vision began to darken and she felt her knees buckle.

Strong arms caught her and carried her gently to the sofa.

"Raven? Raven?" She heard anxious voices calling her.

A hand was laid on her forehead. "She burning up!" Raven thought she recognized Terra's voice.

The sound of footsteps receding followed. When they returned, a cool cloth was arranged on her brow, and she visible calmed.

After a few minutes, Raven felt the pain in her head subside, and sat up slowly.

"Raven, you okay?" Terra asked cautiously.

"I'm feeling a bit better, thanks." Starfire gave Raven a careful hug.

"You're sure you're all right?" Beast Boy persisted, a look of distress on his face.

"You just scared us all half to death!" Cyborg complained, still sounding concerned.

"Yeah. What's going on, Raven?" Robin asked, his own face filled with worry.

Raven reluctantly told her friends about her meeting with the doctor.

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A/N: I'm sorry if characters are OOC. It's the first romance I've ever written, and I'm not sure how the characters would act. Anyway, I hope it wasn't too bad!

To my lovely reviewers:

DarkMystic: I'm glad you like it! Thanks so much for the review!

TeenTitansGirl14: Please don't hurt me. I thought competition might make it more interesting. I am glad you liked Raven's dress in the previous chapter. I hope you're not too upset…

Aya Sadaka(): I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you, but maybe gave you hope? That aside, I want to comment on your good intuition on Terra and Star's 'emergency.'

RavenGhost: Thank you! I'm happy you're enjoying my story. I hope you liked this chapter, too.

ShadowShard(): Um, surprised? Thank you very much for all of the compliments! I don't want to give anything away, but I don't think you have to worry too much.

DelofDani: Yes, Raven's illness is distressing. I hope this chapter was okay. Thanks for the review!

Star1993: Thank you!!! Hope you liked this chapter, too!