A/N Please note that I know very little about medicine so the medical jargon in the beginning of the chapter is total BS, so please forgive me if it makes no sense or unrealistic. Thank you.
Raven A. Star: Is Raven going to change? You'll see It may turn out in a way you don't expect (I hope). Thanks for the reviews!
Scorpio Serpent: Thanks!
Ravenn03: (Zoe sqeals in delight) Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou!! I loved writing the B-movie teaser opening. It was so much fun to write since I don't normally write like that. I'm so glad you like it! I'm glad you gave this ficcie a chance and I hope you'll be in for the long haul.
DarkWolfBlade: Love the name! I'm glad this is making sense. I've rewritten the werewolf mythology for the sake of my fic. But I think most people do nowadays. (ie Buffy, Ginger Snaps...) So glad you like!
OK peoples, I'm on bended knees, please review! I daresay this is my favourite story that I've written thus far in fanficcieland. I really want it to catch on! Please don't be a silent reader, tell me what you think.
And now ladies and gents, on with the show! Enjoy!
Chapter Four: Unexpected Mile In His Shoes
Robin sat in the waiting room, his chin rested in the cup of his hand, his elbow rested on his knee as he tapped his fingers on his cheek, deep in thought. Starfire was holding herself gently, sitting next to Robin, blood stained her costume, but she didn't seem to notice or care. Her face was moist and her expression was unreadable, which was very unlike Star. Cyborg paced back and forth, his fists were clenched and he was feeling guilty for insulting his best friend's cooking just before the attack and actually found himself wishing he could have some of his tofu. Beast Boy was in surgery and they still didn't know his status, all they knew was that it was bad. Very bad.
All Robin could think about though was not Beast Boy, although he was worried. Always in leader mode, his thoughts were focused on their enemy who called himself the Hunter. Despite his concern for his friend and teammate, he needed to assess the situation. Why was he after Beast Boy? What was it that made him hate him so? Robin couldn't help but think that he mistook Beast Boy for someone else. The Hunter spoke as though he was on their side, until he turned on Beast Boy and even then, he seemed to think harming him was a good thing. But then again, if this Hunter guy were on the side of good, why would he rob a jewelry store? Why was he so heavily armed like a one-man army? Who did he mistake Beast Boy for, if that was the case?
All eyes looked up when a doctor came in; it was Dr. Irving, the doctor who was treating Beast Boy. "How is he?" Starfire asked hopefully.
She looked at the three Titans grimly, "We've managed to remove the bullet, however he lost a lot of blood and we had to give him a transfusion."
"Will he be all right?" Robin asked.
Dr. Irving sighed, "Right now the prognosis doesn't look good, but we are doing everything in our power to save him. His condition has stabilized, but the bullet grazed his liver, we've repaired the damage to the best of our abilities and we have him on antibiotics, but considering the unique situation with his genetic make up, only time will tell if it will work. There's a possibility we may have to operate again but we'll have to wait and see." Everyone bowed their heads in grief and hope. Dr Irving held up the bullet, "Robin I think you should look at this."
Robin took the bullet and looked it over.
"When can we see Beast Boy?" Starfire asked.
"You can see him very soon once we get him settled in ICU, but only for a few minutes," Dr. Irving replied, "Some one will come let you know when you can see him."
Robin was only half listening. He shook his head, "This bullet was home-made, there's no serial number on it, and it looks like it was made out of silver."
Cyborg joined Robin and scanned the bullet with his robotic eye, "You're right, it's made of pure silver. Pretty pricey ammo if you ask me."
Robin's eyes widened as something clicked in his brain. "I'm no expert, but I think I probably should've used silver bullets," Bill Kreiser's voice echoed through his mind.
"What is it Rob?" Cyborg asked, noticing that look in his friend's eye.
"I have to go check something, I'll be right back," Robin said. Before anyone could react he was gone.
Starfire sighed, "Poor Beast Boy, I hope he recovers and soon."
"Maybe Raven will be able to heal him," Cyborg said hopefully. "We need the little guy."
"What is taking Raven so long in getting here?" Starfire asked, "You did call her, yes?"
"I did," Cyborg nodded, "Come to think of it she should be here by now. Well, she'd better get here soon."
After a few moments of silence Robin re-joined them, his expression was a mixture of excitement, relief and apprehension. "I think figured out what we're dealing with."
"What?" Cyborg asked.
Robin hesitated, knowing that what he was about to say would not rest well with them, especially with Beast Boy clinging to life. "The Hunter, he shot Beast Boy with a silver bullet. I just called the chief of police who told me that all his weapons were made of pure silver and what did he steal from the jewelry store?"
"Silver," Cyborg guessed, although it was obvious at this point.
"You got it. He stole silver and nothing else. I think there's a connection between the sudden appearance of the Hunter and the crazed wolf we faced last night," Robin said. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, preparing himself for the backlash, "I don't think the Hunter is our enemy..."
Cyborg jumped to his feet, "Say what?"
"Robin how could you say that after what he did to Beast Boy?!" Starfire gasped, her eyes began to water.
Robin backed up a step, "I know, I know, I'm just as upset about it as you are, but please, hear me out. I think the Hunter had Beast Boy mistaken for someone, or something else. Think about it, he didn't turn on Beast Boy until he morphed into a wolf. I think the Hunter is after a werewolf, and I think the wolf from last night is that werewolf."
"I still do not understand," Starfire said with a confused and slightly betrayed expression on her face, "I thought werewolves were not real. How did you come to this conclusion?"
"Maybe werewolves don't exist, I don't know, but whatever the case, the Hunter believes they do, I'm sure of it," Robin explained, "Remember what that guy said last night Star? He shot the wolf, but it recovered somehow. Remember how he said he should have used silver bullets."
"I remember."
"According to popular myth and folklore, a werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet," Robin explained. "The Hunter is a werewolf hunter and he thought Beast Boy was a werewolf."
Raven groaned, putting her hand to her head. She was lying in an alleyway and her head was pounding and her vision was blurred. She was going to head to the hospital as fast as she could, but then something weird happened. She had left Jonathan and was about to hail a cab when she could suddenly feel her emotions get the better of her. She was standing on the sidewalk, thinking about Beast Boy, worried about him, not knowing if he was going to make it. Cyborg didn't tell her any details, he didn't know any either, and not knowing bothered Raven greatly. She was becoming overwhelmed with worry. She wasn't used to such a strong feeling and it was making her anger for whoever shot him to grow. When she tried to suppress her emotions her head injury flared up like crazy to the point where the pain was unbearable. She ducked into the alley, hiding behind some garbage bins and had to fight it. Blackness encircled her as her power tried to escape, and she meditated, pushing her inner rage back in, but it was much more difficult than normal. When she finally overcame her fury and the black wind died down she must have lost consciousness because when she left the cafe, the sky was clear, now it was overcast.
Raven groaned, blaming the bump on her head and lack of sleep for causing her powers and emotions to go out of whack. Slowly, Raven rose to her feet, fighting dizziness as she brushed herself off. She staggered a few steps then gained her balance. She took out her communicator and contacted Cyborg.
"Raven where are you? You had us worried," Cyborg said, sounding both concerned and a little ticked off.
"There was something I had to do," she lied. "Beast Boy OK?"
"We don't know if he'll make it," Cyborg replied, sounding grim, his tone of voice quickly became accusing, "What was so important that you felt you could take your time getting here when we need you?"
Raven scowled, not liking the way he snapped at her but she didn't let on, in fact, she ignored the subject completely, "I'll be there in a few minutes. What room is Beast Boy in?"
"603," Cyborg replied coldly, ending transmission. He turned to Robin and Starfire, "That was Raven, she said she'll be here in a few minutes." Cyborg looked down at Beast Boy who, other than being really pale and jaundice looked like he was sleeping peacefully despite the array of machines he was hooked up to.
"Is she all right?" Robin asked.
"Yeah," Cyborg replied, still unsure of what to think about Robin's theory about the Hunter and still a little mad at Raven for her apparent disregard for Beast Boy's predicament. He couldn't brush her absence off as Raven just being Raven when it was something so important. "She claimed there was something she had to do."
"What?" Starfire inquired.
"She wouldn't say," Cyborg shrugged angrily, "Maybe she was too busy enjoying her date with a complete stranger to have to come to the aid of one of her friends."
"Calm down Cy," Robin said, "Knowing Raven there was a good reason, and knowing Raven she probably won't tell us unless she felt we needed to know."
"Sorry," Cyborg frowned, sounding harsher than intended, "I'm just really pissed off at the whole situation right now. She should be here though, she has the power to heal him and I hate to see one of my best friends in pain like this."
"I understand what you mean," Starfire nodded sympathetically.
"And I still can't believe you'd think the guy who did this to him is on our side," Cyborg shot a glance at Robin.
"I hate the thought of it too, but putting the facts together, it makes sense. It is still a theory," Robin said in defence, regretting bringing it up in the first place. Robin looked at Beast Boy for a minute and his lip quivered. He looked away, feeling like a fool. He was their leader and he failed and he had to bring up his stupid theory when his friend's life was on the line. Couldn't he have at least waited?
"And I guess it's plausible theory," Cyborg admitted, although grudgingly, "one that is just taking me a while to get used to."
Starfire took Beast Boy's hand, "But I still do not see how someone could mistake Beast Boy for a werewolf. It was my understanding werewolves only come out during a full moon, not during the day."
"I know," Robin nodded, "That is the only thing that doesn't quite fit. Maybe he was crazy, maybe I'm wrong. We'll know more when I talk to him. I've requested to have a meeting with this Hunter guy so we can find out who he is, where he's from and why he's here."
There was a slight knock on the door and Raven came in. "Raven!" Starfire rushed over to her and gave her a hug, taking Raven by surprise. Raven pushed her away, "We were getting worried about your absence." She stared at the dark girl for a minute, "Are you well? You look a little paler than is normal."
"I'm fine," Raven said, rather surprised that she looked the way she felt. She had hoped that she would be able to hide it. "How's Beast Boy?"
"We don't know," Robin said, "You know you do look like you're not feeling well..."
"It's nothing, my head and arm still hurts, it's no big deal," Raven replied, trying to get off the subject. She crossed over to Beast Boy's lifeless form and gently touched his face, "I'm not the one we should be worrying about."
"Can you heal him?" Cyborg asked. Raven looked at her friends who looked hopeful. Cyborg still looked a little ticked off for taking so long getting there but he seemed willing to forgive her if she'd help Beast Boy.
Raven looked back at Beast Boy. She wanted to heal him, but she was afraid. After her powers went weird earlier and the spell she had with her powers last night, she wasn't sure if it would work. Something so serious would take a lot of energy and she could feel that she might not have the strength, but she mostly was afraid of what she could accidentally do to him if her powers weren't working properly, which they weren't. She put her hands to her head and rubbed her temples for a second. "All right," Raven replied, "I think I can heal him or at least I'll try."
"You mean you don't think you can?" Robin asked.
"After getting attacked last night, I don't know if I have enough energy to heal him completely," Raven confessed. "Keep in mind my healing powers are limited and I've never healed anything this major before."
"You have to try!" Cyborg exclaimed, "We can't risk losing him!"
Raven nodded, she put her hand over Beast Boy's wound and bowed her head, closing her eyes. A black glow surrounded her hand and Beast Boy's side. A few images flashed through her head, which usually didn't happen when she was healing someone. One was of a young, normal Garfield Logan playing in a clean cut back yard, he was happy and carefree, and was about four years old. Raven felt warm and content, she felt exactly the same way as he did at that moment. The next image was when Beast Boy first discovered he was a shapeshifter, his skin was now green and he was playing with his newfound power, Raven in turn suddenly felt giddy, frightened and excited and was having a blast. As Beast Boy morphed into different animals, in turn so did she, within her mind. Then she felt his despair when he lost his parents. Raven didn't know why she was suddenly in his mind, reliving his memories, and why she couldn't get out of it. She saw and felt several images before she was able to pull out. The last image was that of a very recent Beast Boy memory. He was entering the living room and his eyes fixed on her as Raven was by the window meditating. "Damn she's beautiful,"he whispered. Suddenly he was overwhelmed with a frightening, confusing and yet wonderful, inexplicable feeling. As she relived the memory she felt it too and it shocked her out of her trance.
Raven gasped and stumbled backwards. Robin grabbed Raven by the shoulders to prevent her from collapsing.
"Did it work?" Cyborg asked, a confused expression crossed his face.
Raven caught her breath and steadied herself. "I don't think so," she moaned, "Somehow I accidentally tapped into his memories instead of healed him."
"Raven this is no time to fool around," Cyborg accused.
"Do I look like I'm trying to fool around?" Raven glared at him. Her expression softened when she saw the regret and worry in Cyborg's eyes. "I know you're worried about Beast Boy, I am too, believe me. You have to understand that I..."
"Then why haven't you healed Beast Boy yet?!" Cyborg demanded. Robin and Starfire shot him a glare, then turned to Raven, wanting an answer.
"To be honest my powers have been strange ever since I hit my head." She sat down, looking distressed, but like she was desperately trying to hide it. "Give me a second. I'll try again." She tried not to think about what happened, the feeling she experienced in the last memory she accidentally visited was so foreign to her it was overwhelming. On top of that, she was becoming afraid of her powers. It had been a while since she last meditated properly, ever since she hit her head, simple meditation had caused too much strain on her mind. She was afraid of coming unleashed and wished that her friends could understand. Raven shook her head, willing away her anxiety about her powers. Beast Boy needed her. "All right," she whispered, "I think I'm ready to try again now."
"Are you sure?" Starfire asked. "You really do not look well."
Robin and Starfire exchanged glances, "Maybe you should just get some rest first. You've been going on no sleep and if your head is bothering you and affecting your powers," Robin suggested. "I think you're pushing yourself too hard."
Rising to her feet and feeling like she had control of herself again, Raven shook her head, "No, I think I can do it this time. Beast Boy needs me, we can't wait."
She put her good hand on Beast Boy's wound again and put herself back into a trance. Robin watched in apprehension as the blackness covered her hand and Beast Boy's side. She stood straight and stiff, her cloak and hair was tossed around by a sourceless breeze and she seemed to be disconnected to everything around her. Raven with her free hand she clutched her side, in the same spot as Beast Boy's wound, doubling over in pain but she didn't let go. Robin and Starfire jumped beside her, but kept at a distance. Raven grimaced and tears and sweat moistened her face. The black aura of energy grew and covered all of Beast Boy's torso and Raven's arm. Beast Boy's body began to spasm, and Raven's shoulders shook as she moaned in pain.
Starfire shook her head, "I do not think this idea was a good one."
"We don't have much of a choice," Robin said, hoping that what was happening was normal.
"Come on Raven, you can do it," Cyborg reached out to put his hand on Raven's back, feeling a little bit remorseful for the pressure he put her under and worried that attempting to heal Beast Boy when she wasn't ready would only make things worse for them both. But when his hand touched her, he was zapped with an intense heat. Cyborg jumped back in shock.
Suddenly Raven groaned and like a vacuum, the black aura seemed to be sucked up into her hand. Raven crumpled to the floor, grasping her middle. Starfire knelt beside Raven as Robin and Cyborg went to their side.
"Raven, are you all right? Did it work?" Cyborg asked, glancing back and forth from Raven to his best friend.
"Raven?" Starfire put her hand on Raven's shoulder.
Raven moaned, "Beast Boy will be fine... I think. He just needs some rest."
"Are you hurt?" Starfire asked.
"Just sympathy pains, no big deal" Raven explained weakly, "It'll pass in a moment." Suddenly Raven's body relaxed and she closed her eyes. Starfire put he arm around Raven and helped her up, leading her to a chair. Raven put her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes worn out by everything that had happened in the last two days. No one noticed, but Raven was shaking. She had felt everything Beast Boy had gone through as though she had experienced it herself. That never happened before when she healed someone, although she never healed something so serious before. "What's happening to me?" she whispered to herself.
Beast Boy moaned. His head rocked to the side and he gave another groan. His closed eyes twitched. Softly he whispered, "Raven."
"BB," Cyborg said as he, Robin and Starfire jumped to his side, "We're here. All of us. Come back to us buddy."
Beast Boy's eyes opened after a few minutes, everyone except Raven, who had fallen asleep, watched him intently, "Hey guys. What's up? Did I miss something?" His voice was weak, but he had a smirk that told everyone that he was fine, or going to be.
"You had us worried," Robin said.
Starfire threw her arms around him although gently, "Beast Boy do not worry us like that ever again! We are so happy you are well!"
"What happened?" Beast Boy asked weakly. "The last thing I remember is getting shot, and yet I really don't feel anything. In fact I feel numb. Wait a sec, I'm not paralysed am I? Please don't say I'm paralysed!" Suddenly he seemed to panic.
"Don't worry, you're not paralysed. Raven healed you," Cyborg explained.
"You just need some rest," Robin added.
Beast Boy relaxed, "Where is she?"
Starfire motioned to a sleeping Raven, who was almost completely concealed by her dark blue cloak except for her good hand which rested on the armrest and propped her head up and her sprained wrist rested on her lap, peeking from the folds of her cloak. "She is resting, as you should be. She tired herself out saving you."
That's my Raven, Beast Boy said to himself with a small smile, wondering where the affectionate thought came from. Even though he was for the most part healed, he still felt very weak, and still a little bit out of it. Beast Boy closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
A/N You know, I once knew this guy who knew this girl who worked with this lady who had this cousin that read a story and they didn't leave a review and three weeks later they got food poisoning eating bad pork. Don't let that happen to you! Review! It would make me happy! All it takes is a clicky on that button down below. Thank you.