Walking alone past the scene of their battle that day, Raven heard the sound of a baby crying and cautiously went to investigate. Lying on a cardboard box and screaming as loudly as he could, was a baby boy. His blanket looked as though it had been deliberately left open, exposing him to the elements. Raven looked around. Who would do this? Who would leave a defenseless baby out in the middle of a large city where he could be hurt or worse? Raven shivered and then looked down into the baby's eyes. He focused on her and stopped crying, giving way to coughing and then crying again. Raven rewrapped the baby as best she could and lifted him into her arms, sheltering him inside her cloak. Now that she had the infant safely out of harms way, now what would she do? The only truly safe place she knew was Titans Tower but that was out of the question right now. After what she had put them through, what good reason would they have to take her back?

Raven hugged the baby close and started to walk again, not really sure where she would go. She had no idea where to start, so she simply began to walk again.

Back at Titans Tower, all three of the boys were awakened by a loud slamming noise.

"What was that? Report!" Robin yelled, joining Beast Boy and Cyborg in the living room.

"We're not sure, man," said Beast Boy.

"Sounded like it was coming from the roof!" Cyborg added, charging his cannon arm and charging in the direction of the sound. When they arrived, there was nothing there. The storm that had poured down rain, thunder and lightning on the region had moved on, and now only a soft rain was falling on the Titans' heads.

"Dude, this is not cool," Beast Boy scowled. "I was in the middle of a perfectly good dream."

"Where are the girls?" asked Robin, scratching his head. Neither Raven nor Starfire had joined them when the sound had occurred.

"Unless what we heard was one of them leaving through the roof door and they forgot to shut it behind them," Cyborg surmised. Robin pulled out his communicator and called for the girls by name. No answer. Blanched with sudden apprehension, Robin led the others downstairs again and back to the bedroom area. Robin knocked on Starfire's door and then opened it. Just as they suspected, it was empty.

"This can't be good," Cyborg commented. The boys continued up the stairs and two doors to the left and knocked at Raven's door also. This time, they exercised a little more caution when entering this room. The last time someone carelessly entered Raven's room, they got a taste of her personality the hard way. But when they opened the door, they found that she too was missing. Robin stepped forward and found the note that Raven had left for them. Robin's face fell as he read and the other two hurried forward to read over his shoulder.

"No way!" Beast Boy cried. "What condition?"

"What does she mean we'll be better off without her? It's like missing a limb without her!" Cyborg added. "But that doesn't explain Starfire's disappearing act."

"Sure it does," Robin replied. "She did what any of us would have done in her place: she went after Raven anyway." Determined to find them, the boys piled into the T-Car and sped off into the night toward the city.

Meanwhile, a purple and black streak covered the streets at a speed that would have been unheard of by normal human standards. Only when it stopped to allow a car to pass could one see that it was ShadowFox, and she was, for the first time in a long time, desperate and panicked. She panted as she waited for the vehicle to cross her path and then continued, using the shadows as cover as she went along. As she moved along the sidewalk, ShadowFox heard the sound of a voice she though she recognized. Moving closer, ShadowFox pulled her staff from its holster and demanded that the person show themselves. A bright green ball of energy lit the alley in sparkling light and illuminated the delicate features of a very wet, very worried Starfire.

'What are you doing out here? Where are the others?" ShadowFox demanded.

"I am searching for Raven. The others do not know that I am here," Starfire called.

"You shouldn't be out here without the rest of the Teen Titans. You could be attacked out here!" ShadowFox replied.

"Forgive me, friend, but I am not as weak and helpless as many villains make me out to be," Starfire growled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Point taken. But you are still not going to find her on your own unless you know precisely where to look. Obviously you don't," ShadowFox continued, coming closer to Starfire.

"What makes you think that?" Starfire replied indignantly.

"If you did, you would not be as wet as you are. You've been out here longer than I have," ShadowFox deduced. "What happened?"

Starfire relayed the events of the battle that day and then recounted the contents of Raven's letter. ShadowFox's eyes widened. She seemed to ponder whether to help Starfire find Raven or to pursue her own mission. After several seconds she made up her mind.

"The sooner we find her the better. Come! I will help you locate Raven," ShadowFox said, taking to the rain splattered streets again.

Raven had picked up her pace as the rain started to come down harder. The wind pushed her along and whipped at the hood over her head. The baby fussed softly in her arms and Raven stopped beneath an overhang. There was a bench situated beside a store front and Raven sank slowly to it, wincing as her aching muscles rested their burden. Raven lifted the hem of her cloak and looked at the baby. He was mewling and fussing at her as if he were restless. Raven readjusted her grip on him and took a deep breath. When she was small, her mother used to sing to her when things got tough. Trying hard to remember the words, Raven sang her favorite lullaby to the infant in her arms. It was a song that her mother had learned shortly before Raven was conceived.

"Baby mine, don't you cry.

Baby mine, dry your eyes.

Rest your head close to my heart,

Never to part,

Baby of mine.

Little one when you play,

Don't you mind what they say.

Let those eyes sparkle and shine,

Never a tear,

Baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you

They'd end up loving you too.

All those same people who scold you

What they'd give just for the right to hold you.

From your head down to your toes,

You're not much, goodness knows.

But you're so precious to me,

Sweet as can be,

Baby of mine."

When Raven had finished the song, the baby looked up at her with calmer eyes. He quietly sucked his fingers and ducked his head against Raven's chest. Raven found herself smiling. Her little friend was shy! Tears sprang to her eyes as she imagined how much like her mother she looked right now. Raven cuddled the baby to her and let the tears roll down her face and off the end of her nose and chin.

"I miss you, Mamma!" Raven whispered. With this, Raven stood again and resumed her walking.