Teen Titans: A Hero's Rebirth

Chapter 1: In Need

Disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever owned Teen Titans.

In Need

The music pulsated in the background. Roy didn't care, he had what he was looking for. In the alleyway behind the club he prepared to inject himself with the drugs that he just purchased.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Titans were inside dancing, drinking, flirting and basically doing what many twenty year olds might be doing on a Saturday night. Raven was having a difficult time in the club. The loud music, pulsating lights, constant flood of emotions from the patrons and the close proximity of people were exhausting the empath. She needed to get away to center herself before she lost control. She told Victor that she was going out to get some air. He smiled, nodded and continued his conversion with Garfield.

Once outside, Raven took a deep breath, closed her eyes and relaxed against the wall. Suddenly her eyes shot open. A wave of emotions hit her. Dread, self-loafing, pain - a lot of pain. She recognized the source of the emotions - Speedy! Raven instantly flew to where he was and saw him lying unconscious with a needle beside him.

Raven checked his pulse. It was faint, but still there. Speedy's lips were blue, his pupils dilated. She grabbed her communicator to call the paramedics and used her bond to communicate with Nightwing, "I'm outside in back with Speedy. I think he's overdosed. I just called the paramedics."

"Coming," he immediately responded.

Speedy's breathing was becoming labored and intermediate. His pulse, irregular - he was going into cardiac arrest. No, Speedy! Fight dammit, thought Raven.

She held her hand above Speedy's chest, using her energy to do chest compressions and began rescue breathing. Raven knew her energy could not rid his body of the drugs, that was a chemical reaction and her energy basically could heal physical injuries such as cuts and broken bones. Magic could help but that took time and was spell specific.

Nightwing and the paramedics arrived together. The paramedics immediately administered an opioid antagonist. In a few minutes, Speedy's breathing improved and his heart rate stabilized. Raven accompanied the still unconscious Speedy to the hospital in the ambulance. Nightwing returned to the club to gather the other Titans and to brief them of the events.

At the hospital, the doctors and staff proceeded to run tests and to monitor Speedy. He was placed in his own room where Raven was allowed to wait by his bed side. She spoke to Nightwing and gave him an update. The other Titans West had returned to the tower. Bee and Aqualad were on their way to Jump City. Kid Flash and Jinx would help out Titans East for the time being.

After a few hours Speedy slowly regained consciousness. Raven watched him as he opened his eyes. It took a few minutes for Speedy to recognize her and his surroundings.

"Raven?" he asked.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as she placed a hand on his.

"Terrible. My stomach hurts and everything is hazy. Augh, my mouth is dry," replied Speedy.

Raven poured him a glass of water which Speedy drank readily.

At that point, a doctor entered the room.

"Mr. Harper," he began as he looked over Speedy's test results, "there are no signs of permanent damage from your heroin use and your subsequent overdose."

Speedy looked down, not willing to see Raven's reaction.

"However, if you continue to use drugs, the results to your body will be irreversible and quite possibly fatal. You were lucky, that your friend here," he nodded to Raven, "was there to administer rescue breathing and chest compressions when you went into cardiac arrest or else you would not be alive now."

Speedy's jaw dropped and he looked at Raven. "You saved my life?" he asked.

Raven replied, "You needed help. I kept you breathing until the paramedics arrived."

The doctor continued, "There are programs that can help you break this addition and get your life back. I strongly recommend you enroll in one of them. The chances are significant higher than if you try doing it alone. You can find all the information in here," he said as he handed over several brochures. "Good luck." The doctor left.

Speedy put his head in his hands. He was emotionally and physically spent. He felt so lost. Raven went to him and put her arms around him. Tears started flowing from Speedy. Neither said anything.

A few minutes later Nightwing, Bee and Aqualad arrived. Bee immediately ran to Speedy and shouted, "How could you?" before wrapping her arms around him crying.

Nightwing, and Aqualad stood beside Speedy's bed, grim faced.

"How are you feeling?" asked Nightwing.

"I'll live. No permanent damage but I need to get into a program," replied Speedy, despondent.

"Take whatever time you need. We'll support you all the way," replied Nightwing.

"Yeah, you can count on us for support," added Aqualad.

Bee said, "If you need anything, let us know. You don't have to do this alone. We are all so worried about you. Everyone sends you their love and support."

Speedy just nodded. He knew if he spoke, he would start crying again.

"So what happens next?" asked Nightwing.

Raven spoke up. "They want to keep him here for 24 hours for observation. Then he will have to go through detoxification, which typically lasts up to seven days for heroin. That will be the first step in a rehabilitation program that is approximately thirty days but can be longer. An inpatient rehab program is recommended, meaning Speedy stays at the facility the whole time."

"You got all that from the brochures the doctor gave me?" asked Speedy slightly surprised.

"That and from speaking to a drug counselor here at the hospital while you were still unconscious," replied Raven.

Preparations were made for Speedy to begin his road to recovery. He would stay at a rehab center in Jump City and not return to Steel City due to the possible effects it might have on the youngsters Mas and Menos.