Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans

Blinded By the Light

The Titans are riding in the T-car on their way back to the tower after a battle. They are all upset because Raven never showed up to help stop the bad guy or even tried to contact them to tell them why she didn't come. Robin puts away his communicator after another failed attempt to contact Raven.

Beast Boy sits in the backseat of the T-car behind Cyborg. "How could Raven do that to us? We barely won."

Starfire turns to Beast Boy who sits beside her. "I am certain Raven has a good excuse for not helping to defeat the Killer Moth."

Cyborg glances at the two Titans in the backseat via the rearview mirror. "She better have."

Robin has been silent on the ride home except for his repeated attempts to contact Raven.

Beast Boy crosses his arms and glances at Robin. "You aren't going to let Raven get away with ditching us are you Robin?"

Sighing he takes his communicator out again but this time instead of trying to contact Raven he searches for her tracking device. The location to his surprise comes up only a few blocks away in an old part of town slated for demolition soon. Robin look around puzzled as to why Raven would be here when he catches sight of flames shooting out of one of the buildings.

Starfire gently shakes Robin to get his attention. "Is something the matter Robin?"

Robin points in the direction where Raven's tracking device is being picked up. "Cyborg stop over there at that burning building."

Cyborg follows Robin's gaze and turns onto the street that leads to the burning building. As soon as Cyborg stops the car, Robin jumps out and rushes into the building.

Cyborg quickly gets out of the T-car. "Hey man are you crazy?" Cyborg holds back both Beast Boy and Starfire as burning debris fall from the roof of the building.

It's hard for Robin to see in the burning building and even harder to breathe but Robin knows he can't leave. "Raven! Raven...where are you!" Over the roar of the flames Robin hears a moaning sound nearby. He coughs from the smoke as he moves in the direction he thinks the moaning is coming from. "Raven-I hear you...I'm coming just hold on." Robin finally spots Raven lying near a staircase as it collapses. He rushes over to her and quickly pulls her cape of her because it's caught on fire and quickly inching toward her body. Robin coughs as he kneels beside Raven. "I'm here Raven...don't worry I'll get you out of here."

Raven cries out in pain as Robin places his hands under her body and lifts her up into his arms.

Robin can tell Raven is hurt bad. He quickly makes his way back toward the exit but burning debris falls down blocking the door. He only path he can find that leads to an escape take him to a broken window.

The other Titans are just about to venture inside when Robin bursts through the window. They're all in shock because he is carrying Raven in his arms. Robin walks as far away from the burning building as he can before he collapses, while still holding Raven, coughing from all the smoke. They all rush over to the birds.

"Raven!" Beast Boy stares at Raven in shock as Robin manages to remove his cape and place it over Raven.

Starfire kneels beside Robin. "What has happened?"

Cyborg scans Raven to check for injuries. "How did you know she was in there?"

Robin breathes deeply trying to catch his breath. "I traced her tracking device. I saw the burning building when I realized it was nearby."

Beast Boy finally starts to recover from the shock. "What was she doing in there?"

Robin brushes some stray hair out of Raven's face. Raven...its Robin can you hear me?"

Raven moves her head-at first it appears she's trying to focus her eyes on him but instead she turns an ear toward the sound of his voice.

"What happened Raven?"

"I told him I was sorry...I didn't mean for it to happen." Raven's voice is so weak they all gather around closer to hear her.

Cyborg kneels in front of Robin and Raven. "Who was it Rae?"

"I have something to...tell all of you...before...before it's too la--"

"--Don't think like that." Beast Boy settles down on the opposite side of Robin as Starfire.

Raven manages to reach her hand out toward the sound of Beast Boy's voice.

Beast Boy catches her hand in his. "You're going to be okay"

"Not this time."

After using his sensors to scan Raven's injuries Cyborg pulls away from the others to call an ambulance-but he's afraid it won't arrive in time.

Coughs rack Raven's body before she's able to speak again. Beast Boy...I want you to know...deep down I...really do think that...you're funny...sometimes to even made me laugh...I'm sorry I never let you hear it."

"Please hold on Raven. We need you." Beast Boy tries to be upbeat for her. "Besides I've got tons of jokes you haven't heard yet."

Raven suffers another bout of coughing. "Starfire..."

Starfire takes Raven's hand as Beast Boy pulls away trying not to let Raven hear him cry. "I am right here Raven."

By the way Raven keeps turning toward the sound of voices Robin realizes she can't see.

"Star...I always enjoyed...what little time we...hung out together...it was fun...even if I didn't act like it...I'm sorry we couldn't do it more..."

"Do not feel sorry Raven. I am grateful for the time we spent together."

"Cyborg..."

Cyborg comes back and kneels beside Raven. "Please just hold on Rae. Help is on the way."

"You've always been more...than a friend...you've been like a brother...and you make the...best waffles..."

"Hang on Rae. Just stay with us and I'll make you all the waffles you can eat."

It's getting harder for Raven to breathe. She has to fight to keep breathing as another coughing fit worse than the last racks her body. "Robin..."

"Just rest...you don't have to say anything."

Raven rests her head on Robin shoulder. "Y-you already...kn-know...what I...want to say..."

"Yeah."

"You always did...know me b-better...than anyone..." Raven coughs as she struggles to breathe. Blood seeps from the corner of her mouth. "Pl-please...do not b-be...sad...I am finally...free..." Raven's body falls limp in Robin's arms as she breathes her last.

Beast Boy gets up goes over to Starfire and pulls her into a hug as she bursts into tears. Cyborg gently places his hand over Raven's face and closes her sightless eyes. Robin struggles to breathe himself at the sudden loss of the bond he shared with Raven. The Titans look up when they hear a bird cry out. What they see isn't just any bird it's a raven-a white raven. They watch as it flies away as the help Cyborg called finally arrives.

The author dawns a fireproof suit and prepares for the flames. I myself can't believe I killed off a character--especially Raven out of all characters. The last time I tried to write a story like this I had to go back and change it so the character didn't die. I blame this story on college-I was at least halfway sane before I went there.