Meanwhile, out on the dance floor, the Teen Titans were headed for the juice bar for a break. They had danced nearly nonstop and thirst drove them to seek out a quick can of soda. The mood in the back area of the club was much quieter and cooler than that on the dance floor.

"I can see why Raven would prefer being back here to being on the dance floor, but where is she?" asked Robin.

"Good question," said Beast Boy, beginning to peek into the sitting areas. By this time, most of the areas were empty as the music out on the floor was at its peak. Peering inside one of the last doors, Cyborg found his missing friend. He didn't suspect much when he first saw her. She was curled up in her cloak on the couch, seemingly asleep. Cyborg gently approached her and gingerly reached over to wake her. But as soon as he touched her, she sprang awake and cowered as if he had hit her. She was suddenly wide-eyed and terrified of everything. She was crying and clutching at her cloak as if to hide herself and trying madly to get away from him. Her powers crackled into a ball of energy around her hand, but it didn't seem to be concentrated enough to keep its shape. She would have simply levitated and flew away, but when she tried, she couldn't get more than a few inches off the ground. Clearly there was something wrong, and Cyborg was going to find out. He inched a little closer murmuring, "Raven...Raven it's me... it's your buddy, Cy. Raven, calm down, it's okay." Raven paused her escape efforts for a moment and seemed to finally notice that it was indeed him. Raven melted back onto the couch and Cyborg gently drew her into his protective arms. As he cradled her, the cloak slipped back from her arm and he noticed them: bruises, scrapes, signs of struggle. Her uniform was torn in a few places, and it took everything Cyborg had not to have thoughts of tearing apart the club looking for the individual responsible for doing this to her.

Cyborg brought his thoughts back to Raven. He tucked the cloak back around her and held her to him whispering, "Shhh...it's okay now...you're safe now, Raven...you're safe with me...with us...shhhh." Once her sobs had quieted some, Cyborg ventured back out into the corridor with Raven in one arm, and his cannon aimed at anyone who came nearer than he liked. He refused to talk to the others until they got outside, and even the bouncer at the club asked if Raven was okay and Cyborg ignored him. Robin had to stay and convince him that everything was fine and then caught up to the team moments later.

"Someone mind telling me what's going on here?" Robin cried.

"Yeah, Cyborg, what is your deal?" Beast Boy shouted. Cyborg lowered himself to the bench outside the club as Raven began to cry harder. Much like a parent would comfort an infant daughter, Cyborg gently clutched Raven to him, rubbing her back with slow circles. The looks on the remaining Titans faces changed dramatically.

"What happened?"

"Why is Raven crying?"

"Is she hurt? If she's hurt I'm gonna—"

"Not now, Beast Boy," murmured Robin, placing a hand on the changeling's shoulder.

"Don't tell me 'not now'! She's my—"

"We know, BB, but being angry isn't gonna help Raven right now," Cyborg explained gently. Beast Boy relaxed his fists and softened his expression. Robin and Cyborg were right. Raven managed to stop crying long enough to tell Cyborg that her stomach hurt and that she was dizzy and not sure where she was.

"We're outside the club, Raven. We just wanted to make sure you were okay before we left. Can you tell us what happened?" Cyborg asked, patiently waiting for Raven's answer.

"I don't remember...I feel so sick...I just want to go home!" Raven wept.

"You're pretty banged up, Raven. Rob, I think we need to take her to the hospital," Cyborg replied. Robin nodded, still not quite sure what had happened. The team followed their cybernetic friend and headed for the hospital. It was going to be a longer night than they anticipated.

Two hours later, four super heroes were sitting in an austere waiting room near the emergency room in the hospital. Cyborg and Beast Boy's scowls were tribute to the fact that the nurses wouldn't let either of them accompany Raven into the emergency room. Starfire was asleep against Robin's shoulder, and Robin was fiddling with the different clips and pockets in his utility belt. The door to the waiting room slowly opened and a tall, blonde haired and blue eyed doctor calmly entered and sat down in a nearby chair. Cyborg and Beast Boy sat up and Robin nudged Starfire awake. Together, the Titans listened with rapt attention to what the doctor had to say.

"My name is Dr. Millana Ivanova and I am the physician on duty tonight," said the woman. She was wearing pale blue scrubs and sensible shoes. She spoke with a heavy Russian accent and had a kind, sympathetic expression.

"Is Raven going to be okay?" Beast Boy asked timidly. Dr. Ivanova's face turned more serious.

"Your friend has been the victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault. Do you know what that means?" Dr. Ivanova asked. Beast Boy dropped his head into his hands, Robin bowed his head and Starfire gasped softly as she clasped her hands over her mouth.

"That sounds awful! Like some terrible disease!" Starfire cried. Robin clutched her hand.

"No, Star," said Cyborg. "It means she's been raped."

"What is..."

Starfire didn't get a chance to finish her sentence. Cyborg stood and turned toward the door.

"You must not wake her, Cyborg. I gave her a mild sedative so she could rest. She's been through a great deal tonight," Dr. Ivanova warned. "Beast Boy, she asked for you also." Beast Boy got up and followed Cyborg out of the room toward the emergency ward, leaving Robin and Starfire to get the details of what Dr. Ivanova discovered and her specific instructions on Raven's care for when she was released from the hospital.

"She needs to stay off her feet for a few days. The drug typically does not leave the system for 72 hours. Until it does, she will likely be disoriented, weak, nauseous, and very tired. Give her time and some space. She will probably not be very hungry, but she should eat small amounts to keep her strength up as she recovers. As her appetite returns, she will make the decision as to how much she is able to keep down. Most of all, she will need all of you to give her your patience and your love. She has been through one of the most terrible things that can ever happen to a person. Don't make her talk about it, but be available when she is ready to talk. Until the drug wears off, she will not remember anything prior to the event anyway," Dr. Ivanova explained. Robin solemnly nodded but Starfire still looked bewildered. Dr. Ivanova took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before gently explaining the delicate matter to the confused Tamaranian.

Minutes later, Robin and Starfire emerged from the waiting room, Starfire weeping bitterly on Robin's shoulder. She had no idea people on Earth had the propensity to be so cruel. Dr. Ivanova followed shortly after.

"My shift is over shortly. I will release Raven to you and if you like, I will accompany you home to make sure everything is all right," Dr. Ivanova offered.

"Thank you, doctor, but I think we can handle it tonight," Robin replied, wrapping an arm around Starfire and starting for the door. When they neared the entry, Cyborg, Beast Boy and Raven were waiting for them. Raven looked frailer than her friends had ever seen her. She walked slowly and avoided their looks of concern. The ride back to Titans Tower was silent.

Raven spoke little when they arrived home. Most of her responses were simple nods or shakes of her head. Slowly, the Titans trudged upstairs to their bedrooms, Cyborg being the first to turn off toward his own room. He looked back momentarily at Raven, wondering if he should offer to guard her door that night. Deciding that overreacting wouldn't help, he proceeded into his room and prepared to shut down for the night.

Robin walked Starfire to her room, his arms still securely around her shoulders. Starfire felt weak as she sank to her bed and looked at Robin with puffy, red-rimmed eyes.

"I am still worried about Raven. Will she be all right in her room alone?" Starfire asked.

"I think at this point, unless she asks for one of us, she'd actually prefer to be alone," Robin replied sadly. He more than anything wanted to hug Raven and tell her everything was going to be okay, but unfortunately, there was no way he could mean it if he did. Robin tucked Starfire beneath the covers of her bed, lightly kissed her forehead and clicked off the light. As Robin wearily crept beneath the covers of his own bed, he couldn't seem to shake the frown pulling at his features. With all of the experience he had, all the power he had, he hadn't been able to keep Raven safe. Feeling at fault, Robin rolled over and ignored the muted sound of thunder puncturing the sky.