Chapter 2

One hour ago

Raven materialized at the entrance to the emergency room of Saint Mary's hospital with Starfire being levitated a few feet ahead of her. "Get Doctor Benson, and Doctor McDonnough here, now!" she shouted as she lowered Starfire onto a nearby gurney.

The nurse behind the desk of the nurse's station picked up the phone and pressed a button. "Doctor Benson, Doctor McDonnough to ER, stat," her amplified voice said over the PA system. Even before she finished repeating the call, the two doctors could be seen trotting down the hall.

The two other nurses quickly came over and began checking Starfire's vital signs, one checking her pulse and respirations while the other used her stethoscope to listen for the baby's heartbeat.

"Raven, what happened?" Doctor Linda Benson asked as she came up.

"She saved my life. You've got to help her."

"I plan on doing just that, but I've got to know how she was hurt and how badly," Linda said. When she didn't get a response she looked over at her. "Raven," she called sharply, and saw that she had shaken the young woman from her shock - for the moment.

Raven shook her head, trying to clear it and think straight. She was surprised when she found it difficult. "She crossed in front of a runaway truck to push me and a little girl out of its path. She didn't quite make it and the truck hit her legs just below her knees," she said. "Her left collar bone and lower left leg are broken. She also has some broken ribs, a punctured lung, and some internal bleeding."

Linda nodded, then looked over at the nurse at the desk. "Joan, call the blood bank and have them send up two units of Tamaranean plasma, and prep all the whole blood we have for use in OR seven."

"Yes Doctor," the brunette replied, picking up the phone and dialing.

"Vitals?"

"Pupils equal and reactive, pulse fifty-four and thready. BP one fifteen over ten," one of the nurses replied. "Respirations eighteen and shallow, and I'm hearing rawls on the left side."

"Fetal heart rate one twenty-five and she's moving around in there," the other nurse reported.

"Joan, have them send that plasma down here stat. Jen, hang a unit of normal saline, and run it wide open," Linda ordered. "Lisa, get a chest tube in and put her on three liters of O2." Getting nods from both nurses and seeing that they were doing as ordered, she turned to Raven. "Where's Robin?"

"He's on his way, I'm certain."

"Well, make sure, and tell him to get here quickly," Linda said. "Once she's stabilized, I'm going to have to go in to stop the internal bleeding, and to repair her lung. I want him here for that."

Raven nodded then stepped back as they wheeled Starfire back into one of the treatment rooms. She followed the gurney with her eyes until her view was cut off by the double doors closing. She took out her communicator and found that it had been broken. "So I do this the old fashioned way," she muttered as she walked over to the nurses station. "May I use your phone?"

"Sure. Just dial nine to get an outside line."

Raven nodded and quickly dialed a number. After a few rings, Cyborg's voice came on the line.

"You have reached Titans Tower. None of us are here right now, so please leave a message at the tone."

There was silence for a second then a computerized voice came on the line. "Please say the name of the Titan this message is for."

"Robin," Raven said. She could tell that the system recognized her voice, as a series of clicks sounded in her ear as the call was forwarded to Robin's communicator.

"Raven, why aren't I getting a visual?" Robin asked when he answered the call.

"My communicator's broken and I'm on a phone."

"We're already on our way to Saint Mary's and should be there in about ten minutes," Robin said. "What happened?"

Raven took a steadying breath and found that it really didn't help. "There was a runaway truck when we came out of the mall," she said. I had things under control, but something went wrong and Star got hurt as she saved both my life and a little girl's life."

As she had thought, Robin wasn't too pleased with the lack of information she gave him.

"Find somewhere and get a grip, Raven. I want a full explanation when we get there."

"Right," Raven said, but the connection had already been broken. She glared at her hand as the phone handset rattled against the base as she hung it up. She was certain that it wasn't shaking. She saw she was wrong as she held it up. She also realized that she was trembling all over. "Robin was right, I need to get a hold of myself," she muttered.

She was surprised to feel a comforting presence when she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. "Come on, hon, you need to sit down and pull yourself together," a voice said from behind her.

Raven turned and found herself looking at a woman in her mid to late twenties. Her honey colored hair was drawn up into a bun, and her china blue eyes were full of the concern Raven was feeling from her. If she hadn't been in the mental condition she was, she would have been surprised when she allowed herself to be turned and led down the corridor to an empty treatment room.

"You're one of the nurses that checked Starfire in," Raven said, recognizing her escort.

"That's right. My name is Lisa Trapman. Doctor Benson asked me to see how you were and to make sure you had some privacy."

"Lisa?" a brunette nurse called from the doorway as Raven sat in one of the chairs in the room..

"Thanks, Joan," Lisa said taking a styrofoam cup from her. "I know it's probably not your normal brew, but I thought some chamomile tea would help."

Raven took the cup, lifted the tab that opened the drinking spout, and gave the brew a cautious sniff. She closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. Blowing softly through the opening, she took a sip, then sighed as she felt the herbal remedy already starting to sooth her jangling nerves.

"Thank you," she said. "You're right; this isn't what I normally drink, but it's very good."

"Thanks," Lisa said as she sat in the other chair. "At a friend's advice I tried chamomile when I got stressed, but found it to bitter, so I blended it with some orange pekoe," she explained, then stood. "I'll be just outside, making sure you get the privacy you need. I'll send the others in when the arrive."

Raven quickly swallowed the mouthful of tea she had. "Wait," she said, stopping Lisa at the door. "Please stay. I don't think I really want to be alone right now."

Lisa quietly closed the door, then took her seat again. She could see in Raven's eyes and her body language that the younger woman didn't want her to leave, but wasn't sure why. "You want to talk about it?" she asked, not expecting the Titan to take her up on the offer.

"How did you know that I needed to calm down?"

Lisa was taken by surprise by the question, knowing that Raven was reclusive by nature. "As I said, Doctor Benson told me," she replied. "I know that it has something to do with your powers. That you need to suppress or control your emotions, and that you usually do that through meditation." Lisa shifted in her seat, seeing the look Raven was giving her. "Just so you know, trauma surgeons don't normally have a nurse assigned to them," she explained. "But since Doctor Benson is doing GP or general practitioner work by being your and Starfire's personal physician, it became necessary for her to have a nurse that was familiar with you. On days when Doctor Benson's rotation changes, Jennifer and I take turns working the different shift."

The two were silent for a moment, and Lisa could tell that Raven was still trying to sort out her thoughts. "Raven, you're not a machine. You may be a superhero, but you do have feelings. You just watched your best friend, who happens to be carrying your god-daughter, seriously injured. It's normal for you to be upset."

"But we've all been injured fighting before," Raven said. "What makes this so different?"

"Because it wasn't a fight, and Starfire was supposed to stay out of it," Lisa replied, and they both jumped when the phone rang. "Treatment two," Lisa said, answering it.

Despite her trying to fight it, Raven felt herself growing nervous as the nurse's brow furrowed as she listened to the caller.

"Right. Okay, I'll let her know," Lisa said. "Thanks, Jen." Lisa hung up the phone and she was surprised when she could easily see the apprehension in Raven's eyes. "That was nurse Ramsey," she said. "She's with Doctor Benson, and she called to let me tell you that Starfire is reacting well. Her blood pressure and heart rate are both getting back to a more normal range, and it won't be too long before she'll be able to go up for surgery. Also, the baby seems to be doing fine."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Robin felt the icy glare even before he turned and saw Beast Boy staring at him. He raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic anger in the green eyes.

"Don't give me that 'what did I do' look, Robin," Beast Boy said. "You know darn well what I'm angry about."

Robin looked out the window for a moment and realized what the green skinned Titan was steamed about, but he wasn't going to back down from his position. Much. "Okay, maybe I was a little rough on her, but she's got to keep herself under control."

"Dude, she knows that, and she's workin' on it. Right now she's confused, worried, and scared."

"I can understand her being worried, but why is she confused?" Robin asked. "We know she doesn't do scared."

"She's worried about Star, and the baby," Beast Boy said. "She's confused because she's seen Star hurt before and it hasn't bothered her this much."

"So what's she scared about?"

"To be honest, you," Beast Boy replied. "Because what's causing it is something else she's feeling. Something you're familiar with. Guilt."

Robin bit back his asking how Beast Boy knew what Raven was feeling so well. He remembered how the changeling almost beat him to the elevator as the bond with their respective girls had told them something was wrong.

Beast Boy used Robin's silence to continue. "She's starting to think there's something she could have done that would have kept Star safe."

"Maybe she's right."

Beast Boy's glare hardened even more at Robin. "Dude, so you really think that Rae would have let something happen to Star and her baby, if she could help it?"

"He's got a point Robin," Cyborg said. "You and her are the coolest of us under pressure. If Raven couldn't think of something, it's probably because there wasn't any other way."

"That's why when we get there I'm going in to see her first, alone," Beast Boy said.

"Excuse me?"

"Robin, you know that if it was Raven that was hurt, and Starfire was with her, you'd tell us to wait outside while you talked to Star and calmed her down."

"I hate to say this, Robin, but the grass stain's right."

Robin sighed his agreement. He might not like it, but Beast Boy was right. "Okay, Beast Boy. I'll use the time to see what I can find out about Starfire."

The three fell silent, and Beast Boy was doing a mental happy dance at having won an argument with Robin.

After a moment, the Boy Wonder turned back toward where Beast Boy sat behind Cyborg. "How bad is she?"

"Well, she's not hurt or anything, but she's shook up enough that she's talking with that nurse, Lisa Trapman, and it's helping."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Raven fought the urge to ask Lisa to call and get an update on Starfire's condition. She knew that if there was any change, Nurse Ramsey would have called as soon as possible. She took another sip of her second cup of tea, and looked up when someone knocked on the door.

Lisa got up and opened it, and Raven could see that it was the same nurse that had brought the cups of tea.

"Lisa, there's some one out here to see her."

Lisa nodded. "Send him in."

The door opened further, and Beast Boy entered the room.

"Beast Boy," Raven said with relief as she stood.

Lisa heard and saw the relief of Raven's face as she slipped into the hall. She watched for a moment, through the slightly opened door. Beast Boy crossed over to Raven, and took her hands in his, and she smiled softly as the green skinned Titan seemed surprised by Raven wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

Beast Boy was indeed surprised by Raven hugging him, just as he had been when he apologized about Malchior, but he recovered quickly and returned the hug. "Easy, Rae, you've gotta calm down," he said as he felt both her slight trembling and how she was feeling. "Star's gonna be alright."

"Gar, she was trying to help me and a little girl. She saved our lives and ended up in the hospital herself."

Lisa would have been shocked to learn that Beast Boy was almost as surprised as she was at how Raven had latched onto him. Despite the fact that the two had been dating for just over a year, Beast Boy understood and had gotten used to the fact that Raven wasn't big on showing her affection, especially if there was any chance at someone else seeing.

Beast Boy sighed softly as he realized why Raven was almost clinging to him like a drowning person to something that floats. For the first time he could remember, his emotions were almost infinitely calmer than hers. She was trying to use that to calm herself down.

"It's okay, Raven," he whispered into her ear. "Let me help."

"I didn't want to go into your mind without your permission," she whispered back.

Beast Boy pulled back so he was looking into her eyes. "If it'll help you, you never need to ask," he told her, then smiled softly at the softening of her eyes, showing her surprise that he trusted her so much. "It's a no brainer, Rae," he said. "You think that I'd be going out with you for almost a year if I didn't trust and care for you to help you when you need it?"

"I guess I underestimated you," she admitted. "I thought you'd be more scared of this."

Beast Boy stood up straighter, and tried to put on a macho look. Seeing as he was green skinned and had pointed ears, he knew he didn't pull it off too well as Raven smirked at him. "Hey the only times I'm scared of you is when you sneak up on me, or I goof up and make you mad at me," he said, then relaxed a little more as Raven chuckled softly. "See, I've got you calming down already."

"But not enough."

"I know," he said, then braced himself mentally. Despite his efforts, he flinched slightly, surprised at the intensity of the contact.

'Are you sure you. . . ?' Raven started to ask through their bond as she felt him pull back.

'Yes,' he answered before she finished. 'I was just surprised at how strong your emotions are, that's all.' Mentally, he held out his hand to her. 'Come on, let me help.' He could feel her reluctance to continue. Not because she didn't want to open her mind to him, but because she didn't want to overwhelm him. 'Cozneva dico amitan vo.'

Raven felt Beast Boy's smile as she gasped at his use of Azarathean, then she nodded. 'Yes, Garfield, I remember who loves me,' she thought to him. 'Although at times I wonder why. I know there are times when you wished that I acted more like Starfire, or. . . .any other girl.'

'But then you wouldn't be you, and those times that you do let me give you a hug, or simply put my arms around you wouldn't be so special.'

'What did I ever do to deserve you?'

'I dunno. I'm still trying to figure that out,' he joked

Raven let the silence linger for a moment, then chuckled softly both at the joke and at her boyfriend's growing nervousness, thinking she was getting angry.

'Seeing as you're laughing at my jokes, that leaves just one more step,' he said and felt her nod. "Welcome to my quiet place."

Raven blinked a few times as she looked around. They were now standing in a small meadow with a tree near its center. The sky was clear and blue, and a soft breeze was blowing. "This is thanks to you."

Raven turned at the sound of the voice and found herself looking at Beast Boy. "I taught you?"

"Yeah, it's part of what you taught me to control my anger when I'm in my primal form."

"So you meditate here?"

The two had been walking slowly as they talked, and in answer to her question, Beast Boy took a few running steps, then morphed into a monkey and swung up into the tree. He morphed back into human form and settled on a branch.

Raven could see that with his back against the trunk of the tree, there were two other branches that acted like the arms of a chair.

"Have a seat," Beast Boy said, and Raven saw that a bench suddenly appeared where none was before.

Giving him a smirk, Raven levitated to her usual lotus position.

"Okay, smarty pants, I know I don't normally have to do this, but, close your eyes, and let's start concentrating on your breathing," he said. Despite his lighthearted tone, Beast Boy felt out of place guiding Raven through the process of meditation, but after a very short time, he could feel that Raven was back to her normal self as they chanted together. "What is it?" he asked when he heard Raven sigh.

"Robin's on his way here, and you know how he is when Starfire is hurt." Raven watched as Beast Boy swung down out of the tree in human form.

"Yeah, well, I've got your back," he said as he walked over to her. "I've already won one argument with him today."

"Well, it helps when you're in the right," Raven said as she pulled her hood up. "I'm not so sure your defending me is right."

"Hey, my argument before still stands. If there was anything you could have done that would have kept Star safe, you would have done it."

"I'm glad you're so certain."

Beast Boy felt Raven jump slightly as he came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sure of it, because I know you, and how you feel about Star."

Raven nodded then turned and gave him a hug. "Thanks. It's time we got back to the real world."

Beast Boy had to take a moment to reorient himself as he and Raven broke the mental contact they had. He still found it odd to find himself still standing in the hospital room. His back was to the door, but he knew it had opened, and Robin had entered as Raven tensed and swallowed nervously.

"Robin, I'm so sorry," she said, and was relieved to feel Beast Boy take her hand in assurance. "It all happened so fast."

"It's alright, Raven," Robin said softly. "I saw what happened."

"What do you mean you saw?" Raven asked. "I know the bond you have with Starfire isn't that strong."

Instead of answering, Robin picked up the remote control for the TV that was mounted near the ceiling of the room in a corner, and aimed it at the set. The screen came to life, showing a newscaster sitting at a desk with a picture of Starfire and Raven projected on the screen behind her. The words special bulletin was at the bottom of the screen.

"For those who are just tuning in," the woman said. "We are interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a breaking news story." The picture of Starfire and Raven was replaced with a video feed from the scene at the mall. "This is the scene at the Jump City Mall, where a short time ago, the Teen Titans known as Starfire and Raven prevented the truck you see smashed into the safety barriers from plowing through a crowd of people on their lunch breaks. The film you are about to see is graphic, and I advise anyone with children, or are faint of heart to switch off your TV for a few minutes." She was silent for a few moments, then continued. "This is the film from a traffic control camera that caught the truck as it went through the red light."

The video showed the truck from different security cameras as it careened toward the mall with its crowd pf people. Unknown to Raven and Starfire, the crowd had been larger than normal due to a series of booths set up by some of the local restaurants to sell samples of their menu items. The two came into view, as did Raven's attempt to stop the vehicle.

"As you can see, Raven used her powers to move the crowd out of the way; then, the unexpected happened," the reporter said as the mall's security cameras caught the young girl dashing out for her stuffed bear. "As you can see, Raven quickly flew out to grab the child and take her to safety, and then, this happened." The video showed Raven just about to take off, when a man, running across the cleared area slammed into her, knocking them both to the pavement. "Unfortunately, the quality of the tape isn't good enough to allow authorities to identify this man, but his actions had this result."

"Dude," Beast Boy said softly as the events unfolded on the screen. "Robin, shut it off," he said as he felt Raven's hand tighten on his.

The video switched off. "As you saw, Starfire was injured as she saved her team mate and the girl," the reporter said. "We are all aware of her pregnancy, and I know I speak for the citizens of the city when I extend our hopes of a speedy recovery and hope for the safety of her unborn child."

The screen went dark when Robin switched the set off. "There wasn't anything you could have done, Raven. If you had tried to teleport without being able to think of where you were going, you would have put yourself and the girl into more danger, and if you phased to have the truck pass through you, you could have passed through the street, and down into the electrical conduits."

"I tried to warn her not to push us with that star bolt, but she didn't listen," Raven said. "Did you find out anything about how she is?"

"No. Doctor Benson and Nurse Ramsey are too busy to talk to me."

"A little while ago, Nurse Ramsey called and told Nurse Trapman to tell me that she was responding well to treatment and should be ready for surgery in a little while."

"Thanks, Raven. Let's go wait for more news."