Hey, so this is my… 5th story since I have been on this site. It is also my second Rae/Red story. I know I haven't updated on anything in a while but my computer has been gay and I have been under a lot of stress with an upcoming surgery I am having. Anyway please read and review (you know the usual). I do appreciate my faithful readers. So tell me; do you feel this will be a good story.

Disclaimer: Nope, I own nothing.

BTW: This is short. So sorry

Five more steps….. Five more thoughts I could think before….before the end. Before I would end this unfair and painful life, but could I do it? Am I strong enough to walk right off the end of this cliff that overlooks the ocean leading into my strong city? I used to think that the city was beautiful, and I used to feel the need to protect it. As I, Raven, look at it now, all I see is a cage holding me there. I wanted an escape, somewhere to drown all my troubles.

Step 1…. I thought of the very night I told Robin, the Titans leader, of my feelings.

"Robin," I called tentatively knocking on his door. It was late, around 1 in the morning and I would have feared he was asleep if not for the light coming from under his door. I heard footsteps, and then the door opened, revealing my handsome and strong leader. He was in his mask and pajama pants, leaving a perfect view of his well sculpted chest. I blushed, and I was glad I had yet to remove my hood.

"Raven? Is everything ok," he asked and opened his door wider. I shook my head yes and slightly toyed with the seams on my cloak.

"Yes, everything is fine, but I was wondering if we could….talk," I asked as I removed my hood and showed him a small smile. He smiled and stepped out of the door, letting me pass. I heard the swoosh of the doors behind me as I took a seat in his desk chair. He sat on the bed in front of me and we shared a comfortable silence while I tried to gather my thoughts.

"Raven, are you sure you don't have something to say," he asked as he felt my jumble of emotions run through our bond. I sighed and turned to look at him strait on.

"Ok, Robin, I do have something I want to say. I just…don't know how to say it," I said slightly blushing and Robin chuckled.

"It must be something pretty serious because you are never at a loss for words," he said gently reaching to put a hand on my shoulder. "Rae, you know you can tell me anything." I nodded my head yes and took a deep calming breath.

"Robin, the thing is, I have come to a recent…discovery of my feelings for a….certain member on the team," I said peeking at him from under my eye lashes. I watched as his face went into one of shock and brief glance of pain. We stared at each other for a minute, eyes meeting mask. Finally he seemed to come to his senses and put on a smile, but it looked fake.

"That's great Rae. I'm glad you found someone you are….interested in," he said as he stood up and walked over to his dresser. "But what has this to do with me?" I blushed and thanked Azar he wasn't looking.

"Well, that's the thing, it has everything to do with you," I whispered knowing he would hear it regardless. I watched as the shirt he had fell from his fingers. He slowly turned to look at me and I met his gaze, knowing that I would look weak if I backed down. His face was a mask of shock and confusion.

"Are you saying, that you…. 'like' me," he said still not moving. I shrugged and tried to calm my rapid beating heart.

"More or less," I commented watching as he ran a hand through his hair. He stared at me a minute more before walking over to stand in front of me. He knelt down to my level and I shrunk back from his gaze.

"Raven, I like you too," he said and my heart swelled and I slightly smiled. I opened my mouth to say something but he continued. "but…"

"No, no, no, no, no, no but," I thought to myself.

"But," he said. "I also harbor feelings for Star." I made sure my face remained in that smile, but on the inside, I was dying. Tormented thoughts rushed through my head so fast even I couldn't register them.

"Yeah, I know," I whispered pulling my head down, my eyes away from his gaze. "I…I just thought that it would be easier on me if you knew before talking to her." He said nothing for a while and when I looked up he was studying me curiously. Finally a determined look came across his face. He lifted my face in his hands and brought his lips to mine. My heart stopped and my eyes shot wide open. My first kiss….. I closed my eyes and went along with him, tentatively putting my hands on his chest. I trailed them up to his shoulders and felt him moan in return. When I ran out of air I pulled back and watched as his chest fell up and down.

"Raven, I'm glad you told me, but now there's a choice I must make," he said pushing my hair back from my face. I nodded and stood up, him with me.

"Maybe, Star shouldn't know about this, or my feelings," I said and he nodded but brought my lips in for another kiss.

"I'll tell you of my choice before I act on it," he said leading me to the door. I smiled and walked back to my room; thinking about there might be a chance.

I smiled at how stupid and naive I had been to think that.

Step 2…..

"Good morning Rae," Cyborg said to me as I walked in the kitchen a week later. I smiled and went to fix my cup of tea as BB bust through the door.

"Dude, I wanted to fix tofu for breakfast," he complained seeing the meat platter Cy had fixed.

"Beast Boy, I don't think your tofu is suitable for a day of celebration," Cy said smiling as he fixed the table.

"Celebration? For what," I asked as I took a sip of my tea. BB laughed and went to play video games.

"Didn't Robin tell you? He went to ask out Star last night," he said cheery. My heart stopped, my hands went numb, the cup falling to the floor, shattered. "Raven?" I heard my name but didn't pay any means to it. He hadn't told me, he had made his choice, but he had lied to me. I felt a surge of sadness wash through me completely shocking me. I walked out the kitchen door, leaving a stunned Cyborg watching me.

"Hey, Rae clumsy much," BB said as I passed the couch. I ignored him and headed up the floor to Robin's room. When I reached his room, I knocked, but heard nothing. I knocked again, and heard a grunt. Thinking that meant he was still asleep I opened the door manually, and stopped dead in my tracks. Oh, he was in bed, but he sure as hell wasn't asleep. There he was and I watched as he kissed Starfire's neck, as she clutched his back.

"Robin, it's coming," I heard her whisper and I knew they were in the middle of having sex. I heard him moan her name and I shut the door quietly before rushing away, out of the tower and out of the town.

That was an hour ago, and now I realize how stupid I was to believe I even had a chance.

As I took my third step, I saw Robin's face and how I had come to love him. He was everything I had wanted, everything I had needed.

Fourth step; but now everything had changed. One more step, and I would be dead.

As I took that final step, I thought one thing; I'm sorry. I felt myself step into mid air and I fell….but someone grabbed my hand jerking me to a stop. I had not time to fight it before I was pulled over the ledge, onto someone's body. I laid there in silence, as the person under me breathed hard and long.

"Who," I whispered not looking up out of the persons chest. I heard a mechanical laugh and someone grabbed my chin forcing me to look up.

"You should really watch where you step jewel," the man said. I gasped as I was looking at the mask; on it were a skull and a red x…..