Just a Dream takes place after Post Tenebras Lux. Again, I own nothing so knock yourself out if you want to sue me. As always, reviews are appreciated as I get back into the habit of fic-ing.

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"You thought it was over." The voice echoed through the darkness. Raven furiously ran through the cavern. "Did you really think you could escape? Did you really think I was gone?" The ground beneath her crumbled. She began to step backward – the quicker she moved, the faster the gaping hole in front of her widened. Her footing gave way causing her to fall. "You'll never be free."

Raven's eyes snapped open as she sat straight up. Soaked with perspiration, she realized she had been dreaming. As she took deep breaths trying to calm her racing heart a voice lingered in her mind, 'It's never just a dream.'

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The double doors clanged against the brick walls as the final school bell of the semester rang. Everyone was ready for summer vacation. Students' joyful voices mixed with their teachers half heartedly warning them not to run. A gentle summer breeze ruffled the feathers of a green tinged bird perched on a tree in the adjacent park. Everyday at this time he sat there waiting for a glimpse of the golden hair and today was no different. The crowd began to thin as the final few students emerged.

There she was – oblivious to his presence. Her somewhat somber expression clashed with the smiles surrounding her. What he did not know – or at least was not sure of – was that she remembered everything. As hard as she tried to forget, she couldn't. The final bell meant freedom to those around her but all she could see was months of loneliness. She could hardly call those she socialized as school friends and even so, they were going on vacations with their families.

The cold reality of lonely existence set in. As she heard her name called she plastered a smile on her face but her eyes betrayed her. He watched as she participated in the traditional end of the year shallow goodbyes. The voices faded as he flew back to the tower.

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"It's OK, Gnarrk. It's just a… a…." Kole looked over at Cyborg. "What is that thing again?" she whispered.

"A portable atomic containment field." He repeated for the fourth time in the past hour. The device sparked causing him to drop the container with a loud crash. "With a few minor bugs to work out."

She turned her attention back the to a large man perched next to the boxes on a large shelf. "It's ok. It won't hurt you."

"No luck?" Robin asked with amusement regarding the same situation he encountered over an hour ago. "Uh, Cyborg? Are you sure that shelving is safe?"

"Without a doubt. You worry too much." As if on queue, the sound of cracking wood echoed through the garage followed by several loud thuds. "See? Completely safe and it got him down."

Robin's mouth hung open as Kole raced over to Gnarrk. "He's ok!" She yelled back cheerfully.

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Melvin hummed quietly as she coloured her drawing. Raven walked over and took the seat next to her. "What are you drawing?"

"This is me," She pointed at each of the figures from left to right, "Bobby, Timmy, you, and Teether." Melvin reached for the green crayon.

"It's nice, Melvin…" her eyebrow raised, "but why am I wearing pink?"

"'Cause Teether at the blue crayon." She pushed the remaining crayons around then crawled under the table. Raven bent over with a curious look. Melvin let out an audible sigh. "…and the purple one."

The side door slid open as Kid Flash ran through – stopping briefly to catch his breath. "Morning!" He gave a wave in the girl's direction before Bobby appeared in the doorway. "Can't we talk about this?" He questioned and cocked his head. "Do you talk?" Bobby responded by showing his teeth and menacingly walking toward him. "Guess not." The opposing doors slid open as the chase continued.

Raven just blinked. "Melvin…why is Bobby chasing Wally?"

"He said a bad word when he knocked over the glass."

"Right." She did her best to hold back her laughter. "I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Continuing to colour away, Melvin seemed unaffected by the commotion. She shrugged. "He won't hurt him."

Raven knew she should say something but the sight of an overstuffed giant teddy bear chasing a Wally put her at a loss for words.

Starfire came in through the main doors with Timmy on her back and Teether in her arms. The oven beeped as she floated over to it. "It's done!" As the oven opened, a horrible smell permeated the room. She breathed in deeply, "MMMMM!" A huge grin appeared on her face as she stacked the globs of purple jelly-like substance on a plate.

Raven was fighting a losing battle against her gag reflex as the plate appeared on the table. "What is that?"
"Glorbinnock!" She picked up the first piece and popped it in her mouth. "Mmmmm." Starfire picked up a second piece and held it under Raven's nose. "Try some!"

"Uh…I'll pass."

Teether crawled up onto the chair – reaching for the plate that was just slightly beyond arms length. Stretching a bit more he was able to wrap his small hand around the slimy object. Before Raven could stop him, it was already in his mouth. The three girls paused waiting for some sort of reaction.

A deafening belch vibrated the walls.

"Hey! Who's trying to take my title!" Beastboy pouted as he entered the room. "I'm the king of burping!" He flexed.

"Yeah… that's something to be proud of." Sarcasm tainted her voice. "Where have you been? Robin's looking for you."

"Around." He avoided giving an actual answer worried that they wouldn't approve of his weekday trips.

"Well wherever you were," Raven said as she picked Timmy up, "you should go find Robin. He's probably still in the garage."

Beastboy grabbed a handful of Glorbinnock and consumed it without thinking. Raven's eyebrow raised as he became even greener than usual before departing.

Starfire's voice was quiet, "Do you think he really saw her?"

"I don't know." She stared at the now closed doorway. "I mean her statue isn't there anymore but what brought her…" Raven paused as the remembered her dream, "…back?"

"Raven?" A concerned voice questioned. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Her face was deadpan. 'It couldn't have anything to do with it. It was just a nightmare… nothing more.'