Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but I'm not making money from this, so you can't sue me.

Chapter 9. In love

Valere woke up in the infirmary. Someone had stitched up his hand and wrapped it up. Raven lay in the bed next to him. She was asleep.

He got up, but before he could do anything more, a hand grabbed his shoulder. It was Robin.

"Good to see you up." He said.

Valere sighed. "I know you want to know about Wraith. He was who I originally was, pure warrior, pure instinct and pure death." He started. "Where I come from, he was the ultimate weapon against our enemies. We learned long ago, that, only if you can assure that friends and/or civilians will walk away with minimal damage should you take the chance of bringing in your enemy alive. That is Wraith's first rule."

He waited for Robin to replied, but he didn't. Valere knew what Robin wanted to hear. "Wraith was the only one who could save her. No other help would have been in time. I lost control, until Starfire yelled 'Stop'."

Robin sighed. "The man will live. Considering the circumstances, the authorities have declared it as temporary insanity. You will not be charged or even have to go in for an evaluation.

"Myself, knowing the truth, will dismiss what happened as a last resort. However, never summon Wraith unless there is no other chose." Valere nodded. "With that out of the way," Robin gave Valere a communicator, "welcome to the Teen Titans."

Robin left the room as Valere walked over to Raven. She looked so peaceful. Her breathing was steady. He moved a strand of her hair away from her face. He was about to sit down when Starfire walked in.

"Friend Robin has told us what you told him." She said as she rubbed her arm.

Valere smiled. "You helped me regain control." She smiled. "But, I know you're not in here to talk about that."

She rubbed her arm more nervously. "Friend Valere, I think I…" She paused, trying to gain courage to say what he knew she was going to say, "I think that I am… in love with you." She tried to look at his eyes, but couldn't.

He sighed. "I am not in love with you… I am in love with Raven." Starfire seemed as if she were about to cry. "But, even if I was not, I do not think I could ever be in love with you." Now she did cry.

"Why?" It seemed like a plea more than a question.

"Because, you remind me of my sister." She stopped crying. "The two of you are so alike. Both of you are so innocent, so naive, so energetic and so forgiving." He smiled. "I do love you, but as a brother would love his sister."

She thought for a minute. "Perhaps I have made a…"

He cut her off. "Do not do that to yourself, Star. Do not go into denial. Just get over it and try to love me as your brother."

She managed a small smile. "A brother. I have never had a brother before."

He laughed. "Yes you do. Cyborg sees you as his little sister, like I do."

Her smile became stronger. "I know I love friend Cyborg as a brother."

He wrapped her in a hug. "Goodnight, Star." He kissed her forehead.

Her smile returned to its normal state. "Friend Valere, you have called me Star twice now."

He laughed again. "Siblings always call each other by nicknames." She gave him a confusing look. "Nicknames are other names someone is called by, like how Beast Boy calls me Ghost."

She smiled again and left.

"Is it true?" Raven asked, sitting up in the bed.

He turned to the one who he had, just moments ago, admitted to being in love with. "You already know that it is."

She got out of bed and moved closer to him. "Prove it."

He moved closer to her. "When do you want to start learning my form of meditation?"

She moved to within an inch of his face. "Tomorrow."

"Then it's a date." He whispered as he moved his lips towards hers and this time they met.