Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)

Chapter 15:
"Nurtured Nest"

Raven's heart was beating rapidly as she hurried through the hospital doors. She looked around at the families sitting in the emergency waiting room until she spotted the front desk which she quickly approached. "May I help you?" the receptionist behind the counter addressed her.

"A twelve year old girl was brought in not too long ago with a green idiot."

Cyborg sighed as he walked up behind her, "Raven."

"Name?" The nametag on the receptionist scrubs read Jasmine as she opened up a new window on the computer she sat behind.
"Rachel Gray—erm…Rachel Roth."

Cyborg shook his head, "I think she mean—"

"Is that the child's name?" Jasmine questioned before she entered the given name into the system.

Raven sighed, "No. It's Raiden Arella Grayson."

Cyborg raised a brow, "The kid has a full name?"

His dark-natured teammate ignored his question as they watched Jasmine type on the computer. After a few more moments, "Raiden Grayson, room 205 on the second floor."

The two titans thanked her and headed pass the reception desk towards the elevators; it was almost midnight. There wasn't any wait so they stepped inside right when the doors opened. Cyborg hit the button under "2" and as the doors begun to shut, he glanced Raven's way. "Raven, are you okay?"

"No. There's a lot on my mind." She stood with her arms crossed beneath her chest.

"I know, just remember not to push yourself so hard." The elevator came to a stop and they stepped out once again as soon as the doors opened. Raven moved hastily until she felt Cyborg grab her hand to stall her.

"What are you doing?"

"Take a deep breath and just calmly walk okay. There are others here that are worried about sick loved ones. Let's not make a fuss by breaking any equipment that might be saving someone's life."

"You think my emotions will run that wild?"

"Raven, you know—"

"Fine." She closed her eyes briefly to take a mental inhale/exhale, slightly squeezing Cyborg's hand. "Let's go."

They made their way down the hall passing room after room until they finally came to the one that was assigned to Raiden. As they stood in front of the door, Cyborg released Raven's hand and she reached for the doorknob. She entered in with Cyborg right behind her, their attention immediately being grasped by the single lit lamp in the upper right corner of the room. Next their gazes drifted to one of the available chairs where someone was seated, but they soon stood. "Beastboy." Cyborg approached him.

"Shh, not so loud." Their green friend whispered, "What took you guys?"

"Beastboy, what happened?" Raven approached though her gaze did glance towards her left to see Raiden asleep within the room's bed. The girl laid motionless, the blankets pulled up to her neck as her chest moved with every breath she took.

"Dude, I-I don't know what happened." BB passed the palm of his hand over his face.

Sweat ran down the back of Cyborg's neck, "Uh…you might want to rethink that answer."

Raven's gaze slowly shifted back to the green boy, a glow of white within her eyes, "What do you mean you DON'T KNOW?"

Beastboy gulped, "C-Chill out Raven, I'm telling you the truth. She just suddenly collapsed in the middle of the ice skating rink."

"What did the doctor say?" Cyborg crossed his arms over his chest.

Beastboy shook his head, "Nothing much really. Only that maybe her body became suddenly overwhelmed with stress or something. But of course, it's far-fetched because she's still just a kid. The doc was a bit stumped for the cause himself." Raven turned her attention back to the hospital bed and took her coat off. She walked on the left side of the bed and brushed Raiden's hair from upon her face. "Robin and Starfire didn't come?" The boy's glass of water that was resting on the window seal cracked shortly after his question.

Cyborg sighed, "Well, Raven was such in a hurry that we weren't able to go look for them."

"They had plans." Raven's words were cold.

"Not unlike your plans with Aqualad." Cyborg snicked as his statement got a curious look from Beastboy and a crack formed on the room's television screen.

"Wait a minute." Beastboy turned to her, "Don't tell me you and the water boy are—"

"It's not like that. We were just hanging out."

Cyborg snickered again, "Whatever you say." Raven looked back down at Raiden and decided to pull back the bedcovers so she could get in beside the girl. Once she made herself comfortable, she held the girl in her arms and pulled her close. Cyborg and Beastboy simply watched before each taking a chair to sit in.

{ }

[Unknown Location]

"Oh no no no…this simply will not do." a voice from the darkness echoed. A screen presented footage of Raiden's hospital room; the girl situated in the bed along with Raven. The owner of the voice's silhouette moved where one leg crossed the other. Elbows resting on the arms of the chair the figure sat in. "My dear Raiden, it seems that you're having problems at home." The figure's eyes opened revealing two golden irises that shined through the darkened room. "Tisk tisk…it seems like daddy Richard has been a bad boy and mama Rachel as less self-confidence than I thought…*sigh*…it is a shame. But my dear Raiden…your time there is not yet up."

{ }

[East Tower]

Aqualad sat on the couch, pondering over the conversation he had with Raven a few hours ago. "Hey Aqualad." Speedy entered in with a yawn, "When did you get back?"

"A few hours ago."

"Where were you?" Speedy plopped down beside him and clicked on the TV with the remote.

"Visiting home, you know that."

"Uh…yeah, but when you called us it was around noon and you said, and I quote, 'Yeah guys, I'm coming home in a few hours.', end of quote."

Aqualad chuckled, "I hate it when you do that."

Speedy shrugged, "Sounds like a personal problem." He propped his feet up on the coffee table, "So, where were you?"

"Titans Tower."

"For what?"

"Raven called me."

Speedy's glanced his way with a raised brow of curiosity, "Really? For what I wonder."

"Just wanted to hang out."

"You sly dog you." Speedy smirked.

Aqualad narrowed his eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Bumblebee tells me everything."

"I'm sure she would tell YOU everything."

Speedy could feel a lump form in his throat, "And w-what's that supposed to mean?"

Aqualad smirked, "Don't worry about it. But…" he stretched, "…sure, I have a thing for the girl, no big deal."

"You have a thing for Bee?" Speedy's eye twitched.

"No." Aqualad rubbed his temples a bit annoyed, "I'm talking about Raven."

"Oh, right." Speedy shifted his eyes with a nervous chuckle, "I knew that."

"Of course you did, thanks to Bee."

"What did Raven want then?"

"She just needed to vent to a friend."

"Ouch, friend-zoned right off the bat."

Aqualad shook his head, "Can you stop spitting out nonsense. Besides…who's to say things will stay that way."

Speedy raised a brow, "Oh? Why the confidence?"

"Well we…kind of had a moment…before I left."

Speedy smiled slyly, "I knew the Atlantis playboy had something up his sleeve. What was this MOMENT you two had?"

Aqualad couldn't help smiling sheepishly, "We uh…almost…kissed."

Speedy's smile fell, "That's it? Almost?" He sighed, "I guess that's better than nothing."

"What were you expecting?"

"Definitely not that."

Aqualad shook his head, "Sorry to disappoint."

"I'm just messing with you. If you think that the almost is a great step then hey, I'm happy for you."

Aqualad smiled, "When did you become so understanding."

"Don't patronize me man." Speedy chuckled.

"I guess HONEY does you good."

Speedy blushed, "Can we not…*sigh*…look, Raven's hot, in a dark and creepy kind of way that apparently you dig, so I'm just trying to support you."

"I get that and appreciate it." Aqualad leaned back into the couch, "But you know…don't be ashamed of what you have with Bee. Oddly, you two work."

"When uh…d-did you find out?"

Aqualad raised a brow, "Find out what?"

Speedy turned the television off, "About me and Bee?"

Aqualad sat himself forward and rested his elbow on his knees, "Last month."

"How?"

"Remember when we went to the mall and you guys were calling each other by nicknames, not the usual taunting nicknames but cutesy nicknames. I never heard you guys do that before so I began to look back on little things I've noticed you two do around one another. Longing gazes, playful and flirtatious hits, quaint smiles—"

"Alright, I get it." Speedy snickered, "I guess we weren't as subtle in some things as I thought."

"Yeah, but like I said, nothing to be ashamed about. You two go well together."

"You think it's the same with you and Raven?"

Aqualad shook his head, "I don't know. What almost happened between us was a fleeting moment."

"How do you figure that?"

"Because no matter how much I feel for her…" He lowered his gaze, "…she already has feelings for someone else."

{ }

[Titans' Tower]

Robin and Starfire entered the tower to a darkened room realizing all lights were off. "I wonder if friend Beastboy and little Raiden came back from the skating of ice." Starfire dragged her feet while walking towards the hallway.

"I'm sure they did; I mean it's one in the morning." Robin chuckled.

"It is very quiet." She propped herself against the wall.

"Maybe everyone's asleep." Robin begun to walk down the hall.

"Are you turning in for the night?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'm beat. You should get some sleep too."

"Perhaps you are right." Starfire followed behind him with a yawn.

Robin smiled to himself, "You know…tonight was fun."

"Did you think it would not be?" She tilted her head to the side in a curious manner that got a chuckle out of him.

"Not at all. No doubts here." he replied starting to walk down the hall.

"Oh well, in that case." She smiled, "I thought the night was delightful as well." The two had come to a stop at her room door.

"Looks like this is your stop."

'Yes. Thank you again…for tonight, Robin."

He gave her a genuine smile, "I should really thank you, but it was my pleasure Starfire."

The alien princess blushed slightly before leaning his way to place a small kiss upon his lips. Her heart fluttered as she backed away from him and into her room just as her door slid open. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." The door closed shut.

Robin went on his way down the hall until he came across Raven's room…he stopped. "She's the one that can love you in a way I can't…"
"I'm still missing the part where that's my goddamn problem…"

Robin stared at the girl's door. "Don't waste your chance on me."
"It's never a waste, Rachel…"

He then turned to face the door, stepping closer to it. "Time is of the essence."
"Dude are you serious?!"
"We don't protect the city to showoff Beastboy."

Robin stood there thinking about what he'd say. "Let me."
"Richard."
"Don't tell me, you wish I could do this all day."

He lifted his hand to knock. "It's nothing Cyborg. I won't be just some MISTAKE to Starfire."
Robin felt his chest tighten…he let his hand drop back by his side…he couldn't do it. He turned his head to the right of him, agitated with himself. He wished he could take it back, but it was too late…he sighed and turned to face the hall. "I'm sorry, Rachel." Robin then continued on to his own room.

{ }

[The Hospital]

Cyborg and Beastboy sat in the hospital room talking as Raven and Raiden slept. Cyborg chuckled, "Man that's the stupidest thing I ever heard."

"No dude I'm serious. If I could transform into a chick, I would be able to get free stuff."

"How's that?"

"Well, look at Starfire."

"And?"

"You're missing the point man."

Cyborg shook his head, "Man, you don't even have a point."

"Whatever." BB turned his attention back to the hospital bed.

"Defeated again my green friend."

"It's strange though, right?"

Cyborg shook his head, "You have to be more specific when you up and change topics like that."

"This whole Raiden thing. I mean we kind of just brushed it under the rug but…we believe her story?"

"What else are we supposed to do? Sure, it's not really our style to take someone's word but you have admit…some things add up."

"Like what?" Beastboy raised a brow.

"Her characteristics, appearance and attitude…both Robin and Raven."

Beastboy nodded, "Oh right. Man, I wouldn't peg those two as a couple but…"

"It kind of…works right?"

Beastboy chuckles, "I guess so."

Cyborg remembered something, "Though, things are without a doubt rocky between them."

"Let me guess…Star?"

"Yeah. Robin went out on a date with her tonight."

"Aah, that's why they aren't here." He nodded, "You made a comment about Aqualad earlier, what was that all about?"

Cyborg shook his head, "Nothing, it was a stupid comment. He only came over to hang out with Raven."

"Yeah?" Beastboy raised a brow, "That's odd, even for her."

"Well…I guess the girl needed to vent about something and none of us was around." Cyborg shrugged.

"Not even you? Where'd you go?"

"Hung out with Bumblebee at the park."

A grin crept across Beastboy's face, "Oh really."

"Nah, don't even go there." Cyborg shook his head.

"Go where?" The green boy had a full grin now.

"The whole me and Bee thing."

"But you like her right?"

"Doesn't matter." Cyborg shrugged.

"Dude." Beastboy nudged him, "You're telling me it wasn't a date? All romantic and cheesy-like with a picnic feeding ducks."

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Look, just drop it okay. Bee and I are just friends."

Suddenly the room door opened, "Coming in."

Beastboy stood, "Come on in doc."

Doctor Mishima entered the room, "Well, I see we have two more visitors since I last checked on little Raiden."

"Cyborg." The titan stood to shake the doctor's hand.

"Yes, from the Teen Titans." The older man smiled.

Beastboy pointed his thumb over at the bed, "Also Raven who decided to doze off."

"Ah yes, though if I must say, she does look a bit different than I remember."

"No kidding." Beastboy chuckled.

Doctor Mishima smiled, "Well, I've come by to inform you that Raiden's tests have come back and she's as healthy as her age. As she should be. But we'd like to keep her overnight just in case. She can go home first thing in the morning,"

"That's great doc."

The older man placed his hands into the pockets of his coat, "I would rule it as a minor anxiety attack that she might've had. This, of course, could come on because of stress or some other means."

"She seemed fine to me. Always carefree with no signs of stress." Beastboy shook his head.

Doctor Mishima nodded, "Sometimes things aren't always what they seem and our bodies tend to let us know what's wrong at the strangest of times."

"But-"

"Would you mind waking Ms. Roth since she's logged as the girl's guardian. We'd like her to look over some documents and sign release forms."

"Yeah, sure." Cyborg nodded.

Doctor Mishima gave a single nod in return with a smile, "Thank you. Now, if you would excuse me and I'll see you in the morning before you head out." He turned towards the door, "Raiden will be just fine." The doctor made his leave, the room door closing behind him.

"Want to do the honors?" Beastboy turned to his friend who sighed but agreed.

Cyborg walked over to the side of the bed that Raven was situated on. He leaned over to tap on her shoulder as he whispered, "Raven?" Beastboy face palmed. The girl was unresponsive which caused Cyborg to repeat his actions, though speaking a little bit louder than his previous attempt.

A dark aura begun to slowly form around his hand that got sweat to drip down the back of his neck. "What." Raven's words came out coldly, her eyes still closed.

"Would you just…" Cyborg gulped and sighed at the same time, "…look, the doctor just left."

Raven's eyes slowly opened as she sat herself up in the bed, "What did the doctor have to say?"

Beastboy sat himself back in one of the seats, "That Raiden's okay and can leave first thing in the morning."

"Okay. That's good." They could see the slight relief on the girl's face.

"But they'd like you to go down and look over some documents before sighing the release forms. You know…since you're her MOM and all." Cyborg grinned.
Raven looked down at the sleeping girl, "Alright."

{ }

[Titans' Tower]

The next morning Robin awoke in the darkness of his room. He sniffed the air and realized that there wasn't any scent of breakfast. Not that he was ALWAYS expecting someone to be making breakfast when he worked, but he had gotten used to it. He got out of bed and threw on a plain red tee before heading out and into the hall. He soon came to Cyborg's room and decided to knock on the door.

"Hey, Cyborg? Did you want to prepare breakfast or should I start things?" His teammate's door slid open and Robin popped his head inside but didn't see anyone. That's odd. The team leader stepped back and let the door close shut. Beastboy's room was next and the results were the same Were the two of them out and about doing something? Robin stepped back and continued down the hall until a thought crossed his mind; Raiden.

He broke out into a sprint towards the guestroom where the girl had been staying. "Raiden?!" He rushed through the door without knocking. His gaze immediately fell on the bed that was still fixed perfectly like no one had slept in it. The room was also empty…something was wrong. Robin started to worry as he headed back out to the hall. He continued to walk on and eventually came to Raven's room.

Like the night before he simply stared at it, not sure if he should…he sighed and decided to knock. "Raven?" The girl's door slid open and poked his head inside…empty. Where was everyone? Robin then stepped back and let the door close shut.

"Good morning, Robin."

The young man held his chest for his instantly rapid beating heart from being suddenly startled. "Star…*pant*…please don't creep up on me like that."

"I am sorry. Is everything alright?"

"I'm not sure." He shook his head, "Have you seen the others?" Starfire fell into step with him and they made their way to the living room.

"I have not." She shook her head, "I only just left my room as well,"

"Gotcha. Well, they weren't in their rooms…not even Raiden."

Starfire raised a curious brow, "No one?" They made their way to the couch and took a seat. "That is quite odd is it not?"

"Yeah it is."

"Should we go out and search for them or make contact via the cellular phone devices?"

Robin shook his head, "No, I'm sure they're fine and I'm just overthinking things." As soon as he finished his statement, the front doors to the tower opened, gaining both he and Starfire's attention.

"Man I'm beat." Beastboy yawned, being the first to enter in with the others behind him, a sleeping Raiden in Cyborg's arms.

Cyborg's gaze was the first to fall upon the two seated on the couch, "Oh! H-Hey you guys."

"Morning!" Beastboy yawned loudly.

Raven suddenly hit him behind the head, "Be quiet before you wake Raiden."

"Friends, we were just wondering where you were." Starfire smiled as she stood from the couch.

Robin looked them over until his eyes fell on the hospital band around Raiden's wrist. He stood and made his way around the couch and approached Cyborg. "What's this?" Robin lifted the girl's wrist.

"Oh that…well you see, what had happened was-" Beastboy began.

"It's nothing." Raven lifted the girl with her telekinesis and brought her close to her.

"Being admitted to the hospital isn't nothing Raven." Robin slowly turned to her.

Raven started to leave the living room, "It doesn't concern you."

"Doesn't CONCERN me?" Robin followed behind her and then got in her path, "The hell it doesn't, why was she admitted to the hospital?"

"Don't pretend like you care Robin, so just droop it." Her words were cold…both Cyborg and Beastboy could've sworn they felt a chill in the air.

"Don't even…" Robin was taken back by her statement, "…Raven—"

"Can you step aside please, Raiden needs rest."

What was going on? Why was he being treated like the bad guy when she was the one who decided to…Robin shook the thought out and crossed his arms over his chest, "No. Not until you answer me."

"Really, Robin?" Raven lowered her gaze.

"Yeah, because I do care…a lot more than you think actually."

Cyborg took a few steps towards them, "Will you two stop this and calm down."

"You CARE…" Raven's dark aura begun to overlay her, "…what a load of crap." The room around them begun to grow dark.

Beastboy grew a little frightened, "Uh…Raven?"

"If you CARED…you would've been there…" Raven could feel her chest tighten…she wasn't going to break down in front of them, in front of him. But her heart did hurt…though who was to blame? She calmed herself, receding her aura and the glow in her eyes. "But you weren't, were you…you weren't there." Robin's heart immediately dropped to the pit of his stomach as he felt a wave of guilt wash over him. There was so much hurt in her voice…he stepped aside and she didn't hesitate in continuing on and out of the room.

"Raven." Cyborg sighed as he watched the girl disappear from view with Raiden in tow wrapped in her aura. His eyes shifted to Robin who stood there in silence with everyone else. "Hey Star, do you mind getting a head start on breakfast. I'll join you in a sec."

"Oh…okay." Starfire knew the atmosphere wasn't a peaceful one, but she wasn't going to argue with Cyborg. Before she left the room, she gave Robin one final glance hoping that he was alright.

Beastboy turned to Robin and felt a little bad for him, "Hey dude—"

"What happened?"

"We uh…" Beastboy rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "…we were out skating, which you already know but uh…out of nowhere Raiden just suddenly collapsed in the middle of the rink. I rushed her to the ER and called each of you to come down to the hospital though…" He exchanged looks with Cyborg, "…only Cyborg and Raven showed up."

"Sorry man." Cyborg patted Robin on his shoulder.

"Cyborg...why didn't you guys just…try again and again." Robin asked.

"Raven was in a hurry and I figured you had your phone turned off since you were uh…out."

Robin cocked his head back and ran his fingers through his hair as he smirked, "Looks like I just can't seem to catch a break…always screwing up."

"Don't think that way dude." Beastboy attempted to reassure him, "We all have our off days."

"Easy for you to say, you were actually there for Raiden…and I wasn't."

Cyborg sighed, "Look, save the pity party okay. Things like this don't happen often and they catch us off guard. Any one of us could've easily not have made it either."

"Yeah, but neither of you are her father."

Both Cyborg and Beastboy fell silent for several moments. "That's true…but who's to say that you are?"

"Beastboy." Cyborg nudged the green boy.

Robin felt his heart ache…it would be easier if he wasn't, wouldn't it? But something inside was telling him otherwise, "You just don't get it,"

"Hey, don't sweat it and definitely don't listen to anything Beastboy says." Cyborg reassured, "Let's have breakfast and you can go check on Raiden afterwards."

{ }

[East Tower]

Aqualad hadn't slept all night as he sketched out a few things in his sketchbook that he's been using for about a year. A sudden knock echoed on his room door. "Hey Aqualad, I just got a call from the Titans. Raiden ended up needing to go to the hospital last night and they just got back an hour ago." Bumblebee informed.

Aqualad quickly got out of his bed and headed to his door to open it, "Are you serious?"

The girl in front of him stood with her arms folded beneath her chest, "Yeah, but the kid is okay."

"That's a relief for them I bet."

"I'd say. Speedy and I were thinking about paying them a visit later if you want to tag along."

"Sure." He nodded. "Let me know when you two decide to head out."

"Will do." Bumblebee gave a nod of her own before turning to leave and head on her way down the hall.

Aqualad let his room door close. Raiden had to be admitted to the hospital? That must've been…he retrieved his phone and selected one of the numbers on speed dial. "Aqualad?"

The boy raised a brow, "Hey uh…Robin? I could've sworn I called Raven's phone."

"You did but Raven left her phone in the kitchen."

Great. "Oh…I see."

"Did you need something? I could take a message."

"No, that won't be necessary, I was just calling because I heard about Raiden and—"

"Who did you hear that from?"

"Bumblebee."

There was a brief silence, " Cyborg must've called her."

"I figured as much." Aqualad took a seat on his bed, "So how's Raiden doing?"

"I haven't gotten the chance to speak with her yet, but she looks well."

"That's good to hear. How's Raven?" There was another moment of silence, though it lasted longer than the previous one. "Robin, you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Just wondering why'd you ask about Raven's condition."

"Well, it's obvious that she's fond of the kid…you both are, aren't you?"

"Yeah…we are."

"Look, it's none of my business but just…" Aqualad took a deep breath before exhaling, "…go easy on her okay."

"What're you—?"

"Let Raven know I called and I'll catch up with you later alright."

"Right."

The two ended the call almost simultaneously and Aqualad tossed his phone on the bed beside him. He ran his fingers through his hair while sighing and shaking his head. Even though he talked to the Titans' leader over the phone, he could feel the slight tension in his voice when it came to discussing both Raiden and Raven. What was the guy's problem, it's not like…Raven's face flashed within his thoughts. Did Robin possibly know about the way he felt about the girl?

{ }

[Unknown Location]

The dark figure chuckled within its darkness, watching its many screens that presented live feed of the Titans. Not only them, but those of the East as well. Observing their actions, lying in wait though frustrated at how certain "individuals" were getting in the way of their plan. "Perhaps I must take action sooner than expected." The figure's voice echoed through the dark while its silhouette presented them as if it was beginning to stand. They moved through the dark, making it to their destination within the darkened room. With a fling of its writs, glowing columns, no bigger than an average pencil, are summoned around Jump City. The figure grins…the REAL game will soon begin. Their golden colored eyes face back into the darkness as the figure returns to its rightful place within the dark.