I'm sooooooo sorry! It's been exactly a month since I updated. But I've been busy with homework, SOL prep, orchestra, an upcoming band concert, trying to get progress done on the book I'm writing, and also my 14th birthday!

On that note, one thing I'd like to say is that I'm glad that all of you are so kind when you review for me. I have recently completed my fourteenth year on this planet, and I thank God every day for my wonderful friends. I consider you guys my friends.

So, anyway, please read and review. I promise that there will be more tomorrow to make it up to you guys.

God bless!

Chapter Four

Late Night Conversations

When finally Robin and Raven entered the main room, the others were all in the same basic positions they had been when Robin left. Hearing the door open, they all turned to see Raven, exhausted and tear-stained, being almost dragged into the room by their leader. Instinctively, Starfire glided over and pulled Raven's free arm around her shoulders and helped lead her over to the couch.

"What has happened to Raven?" she asked, sitting next to the panting, half- conscious girl.

"That's exactly what I want to know, but we'd better just let her be for now." Robin looked over to see the time. It was almost midnight. "I guess we should all go to bed," he added, turning to look into the scared, sleepy eyes of the other three Titans.

"Do you really think any of us (except maybe Beast Boy) could sleep at a time like this?" Cyborg asked him.

Robin saw his point.

"But we cannot stay here and not rest," Starfire quipped, "We may be needed by morning, and we cannot fight or help anyone if we are overly tired."

"She's right," Robin said, although he didn't see sleep as a possibility, "We all need the rest."

"What about Raven?" Cyborg asked, pointing to where she still lay in a daze.

All of the Titans turned to see their friend, spent and half-conscious, still laying on the sofa. The only movement she made was the choppy rise and fall of her chest with each labored breath she took. Not one said a word for a moment.

"I guess we should try to get her to her room, too," Robin said, looking back to his teammates. Without a word, Starfire took to the air and glided to where the dark girl sat.

"Raven," she said softly, gently prodding her friend, "You must rest now. Shall we assist you to your room?"

Raven looked up, then back around at the room, as if not sure of her location. Then, she faced the others and nodded weakly. She then tried shakily to stand, and the alien girl helped her to keep her balance. Pulling one of her arms around her own shoulder, Starfire made her way out, closely followed by the boys.

As they entered the main hallway, Cyborg and Beast Boy went their own ways silently, Cyborg to shut down the Tower and Beast Boy to make his way to his bedroom.

Raven still had her arms draped around Starfire for support, and Robin stood just behind them, ready to help. It was he who opened the door to let the girls into Raven's room.

"Dear friend," Starfire said, helping her charge onto the bed, "do you require further assistance?"

The dark girl shook her head weakly. "No."

"Good. Then perhaps you would explain what has happened to you?" she pressed. When no response came, she nodded. "I understand. You must now rest yourself for tomorrow. You may tell us your at that time."

"Good night," was the weary reply.

Robin and Starfire made their way out of the room quietly, then closed the door as they passed through. It was then that Starfire pulled her companion aside.

"What happened?" she demanded worriedly.

"To be honest," Robin said, "I don't know. I told her everything I knew, and then everything went crazy. She didn't give me much to go off of either."

Starfire closed her eyes and turned away. "Thank you, Robin," she said. But before she walked away, he put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. She did nothing but turn a pair of wary eyes to him.

"It'll be alright," he said, even though he knew that his statement was false. She only nodded and pulled away to walk the rest of the way to her room.

Robin sighed. What had Raven meant? Did she know something he didn't? With these thoughts plaguing his mind, he headed toward the remains of his room to rest.