Disclaimer: See chapter one.

AN: Thank you for the positive reviews! Hopefully this chapter (one-shot) gives a bit more closure/ happiness to Raven (as I know most people want…) as well as more depth to the other situations cropping up around the corner that people have been inquiring about; trust me, there's reason for everything. And all will be explained. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

A Deep, Dark Path

(Take three months after Aqualad's death, seven months since Tokyo, and almost two years since Trigon and Brother Blood battles).

The tower looked dead, Raven noted. The grand common room was dark, the TV was silent, the dishes were still in the sink but the counters were cleaned from crumbs and debris. One light over the stove was on as if preparing for the night time shadows and to be a beacon to the team as they returned home.

It had been like that for the past few weeks.

Carefully stepping into the room, letting her cape sweep along her calves, Raven moved to the wide windows in front of the tower. The sun was setting before her, the brilliant ruby rays casting a blazing fire along the sands surrounding the tower. Without thought her eyes drifted to the bronze plaque, being a washed in the foamy waves. Her mind unconsciously turned to Aqualad and the night of Robin's birthday party as it was still fresh in her mind's eye.

Her heart throbbed in pain. She had lost people before. Raven was used to losing people. But her friends seemed untouchable; as if they would always be there, as if the trouble, the darkness surrounding their lives would never touch them. Aqualad, a fellow individual not strictly of Earth, much like Raven, was a close friend. She learned much from him, and his world, and him of hers'. Even now, remembering their exchanges was painful to the young woman and it made her left eye tear in sadness.

Abruptly, she wiped it away. Raven didn't cry. Though her emotions still took control of her, more so than she would ever like or admit to her friends, she would not cry. Crying would not bring her friend back, and it would be pointless to shed tears now.

It had been a long three months since he had perished. They hadn't heard from his family; Raven knew from experience and knowledge, Garth's father would not be contacting them concerning his death. They kept to themselves; and without a body to provide the Atlantis citizens, Raven was sure contact would be limited. They would grieve in their ways and spurn the help of those of the surface world.

Raven sighed, crossing her arms, the dying sun a reminder of the Titans West. Her thoughts drifted to Aqualad's teammates. Reports had been coming in with a hard passion to the Titans East of their friend's encounters. Robin kept them briefed every morning; it seemed the only way Bumble Bee could heal was by taking it out on the criminals in their city. And they were dwindling in a fast decent as Bee pummeled them into the jails. Her anger, her pity, her sadness was seen every morning as one criminal after dangerous criminal was brought down with a sheer ruthlessness barely contained. Raven knew, she would exhaust herself soon – she would exhaust her team soon. But, much like Cyborg and Robin, Bumble Bee carried the weight of his death on her shoulders and could only rely on her anger of the underworld in which to release it. Raven was patiently waiting for the day that Bee would run out of anger and collapse; she knew it wouldn't be long before their field leader cracked.

When that day came, then the team would begin to heal correctly. Until then, much like her team surrounding her, they would have to just wait.

Raven moved to the next window, turning her back to the plaque below. Since Aqualad's passing, the two teams had barely spoken to each other. Raven didn't blame them; she knew there were hard feelings between the teams after the small ceremony on the island. Including much blame.

Beast Boy had gone into a dark hole that Raven wasn't sure he should be in. She understood grief, she understood despair and pain and hurt and sadness; but she also understood that, that wasn't Beast Boy. He was light, laughter, and childish annoyance. He was childhood innocence, and hard loyalty. He wasn't anything harmful. Even when he lost control of himself, when his own body and abilities had worked against him, Beast Boy still cared and still protected her from harm. His good out shone the dark. He always would; that was what Raven admired about her younger friend.

The pain that rolled around in his aura now, that caused Raven's head to ache whenever around him, was not for him. He couldn't handle that. And she didn't want her friend going through that. She knew he couldn't go through that and still contain his essence. It would consume him, it would drag him under and the Beast Boy she knew would not be there any longer. Much like Bee, Raven feared and waited for her friend to finally realize what was happening; she was waiting for the climax of his pain, ready to offer healing, like she always did for the team.

His attitude hadn't improved since Garth's death. He wholeheartedly blamed Robin for Aqualad's death. He said if they had only acted sooner, if Robin hadn't left to let him defend against Slade alone, Aqualad would still be alive. In Beast Boy's eyes, Robin was the tool of his friend's death and that pain festered beneath the skin, waiting for the most unfortunate moments to explode. Much like that morning during breakfast.

Raven shifted her weight, listening to the dying calls of the seagulls behind her. She could understand Beast Boy's logic; she still didn't understand why Robin had left their friend to the hands of Slade, after being drained and beaten into submission. They understood Garth had gone through an increase in power prior to fighting Slade, but he was weak. He was beaten, bloody and tired. Robin, calculating, observant Robin, should have known that and fought with him, instead of leaving him.

But there was no use in trying to understand the events. What had happened had passed. Robin had defended his actions to Beast Boy at every turn. He had thrown every excuse at him and it still never appeased Beast Boy. He was unruly and disrespectful to their leader and increasingly spiteful. As it were now, not one criminal had sprung up after Slade's brief stunt, and it left Beast Boy on the streets, fighting his inner demons without the help of criminals to take his anger out on.

Silently, Raven wondered if the criminals were afraid of their team now; after losing a friend, taking down Slade in one night, and the reports of the Titans West's powerful hits to their organization. It wouldn't surprise her.

Moving to the kitchen, Raven began to prepare hot water for a soothing cup of tea that would help ease her nerves. Since the battle, Raven's body still hadn't fully healed the way it should have. Her back was stiff, and Cyborg said it was from laying on it for so long; Raven argued that her healing trance should have taken care of that. Her stomach was still bruised and the stitches were long, ragged and black. She had to keep them in because her stomach was taking longer to heal. Much longer.

She hadn't told Robin or the others (minus Cyborg) still of her injuries. She didn't want him keeping her from a battle should it arrive. She also didn't want questions. She didn't understand why her body wasn't healing the way it should have. Cyborg alluded to Trigon's presence no longer in her, and on some level Raven agreed, and on the other, it scared her. She wasn't as tough as she often thought she was. It made her nervous and cautious as to what the future would now hold.

Would she still be able to heal the same number of injuries? How long would her body hurt after a fight now? She used to be sore for only a few hours, but would she now take long to repair herself, like a merely full blooded human? Near death attempts would not seem so mundane, but terrifying. Raven wasn't looking forward to the new set of challenges facing her now.

The kettle began to whistle and without thought Raven began to make her beverage. She wasn't the only one going through changes. Beast Boy was angry, and she was still healing. And Cyborg was still repairing.

The machine he and Robin had invented had greatly helped put him together; enough for Cyborg to do the rest on what was repaired. But the determination that now was set in his eyes was not like him; he laid the blame of Aqualad's loss on his shoulders. Cyborg was half machine, he relied on that side to be better, to do more, to be faster, to go above what humans could do. If he couldn't save a friend, what was the point in his half machine parts?

In the last three months, Raven only saw him for the ten minute morning meetings, before he locked himself in his lab to invent and research, and fix, and advance his machines. Every morning, his blue parts were slowly turning silver with his upgrades. His wires were sleek, his frame sturdier, taller. But his human side was withering from the stress and the lack of nutrition; his human eye drooped, wrinkles were appearing in his forehead. It wouldn't be long before he would simply pass out from exhaustion. Though he was half machine, he was still human. And that side needed energy and rest.

Raven glanced to the fridge and nodded, mind decided; she would bring him dinner and break down his door if he decided on not letting her in. Her powers were changing in frightening ways, she would do it if needed, consequences be damned.

The only two that seemed to be moving past the tragedy were Robin and Starfire. In some ways it made Raven envious, but for the most part it made her relieved. They were taking care of each other, and though Raven felt jealous, she knew it was needed. Both needed each other in order to heal.

She just refused to admit, that she knew that on the night of Robin's birthday, she had felt Starfire's gift through their link. And it still twisted her stomach. It made the reality of her emotions of her leader that much more real, and that much more needed to be locked away.

Carefully and quietly, Raven prepared a tray and headed out into the darkened hallway.

The next morning began as it always did.

Robin was the first in the common room; his back was to the door as he gazed out into the bay. As Raven entered, her dark jeans and black tank top tight but comfortable to her body reflected the rising sun, and she knew he was looking at the plaque lying in the sand. She could feel his grief, his guilt even across the room as it lapped at her mental shields. Silently, she sighed and willed her walls to remain intact that much more adamantly.

She crossed to the kitchen, tea already steaming on the counter. Every morning, since Aqualad's death, it had sat there for her. She hadn't questioned the leader, but she accepted it without voicing her gratitude. It seemed as if he already knew.

She leaned against the counter and the metal door opened as Beast Boy entered.

He dragged himself into the room, green hair long and in disarray all over his skull. His sleep pants were crumpled and his orange shirt was wrinkled from his tossing and turning; Raven sensed it all night long. The young man barely slept anymore, his mind working on possible thoughts and plans.

The shape shifter plunked himself on to the barstool in front of the empathy. He gave her a weak but genuine smile; the only one she ever saw on his face and suddenly Raven felt privileged. He was carrying the loss of their friend in his heart, and he still managed to smile for her. Tentatively, she smirked back, a twist of her lips, and she saw him sit straighter, lighter than he had in a long time.

They didn't need words, but Raven's smile said it all. He wasn't alone in this.

Carefully, she pushed the box of cereal over to him and he began to dig into the bag, crumbs covering his lap. Good naturally, she rolled her eyes.

She felt their leader turn and stare at them but neither of the Titans turned to acknowledge him; Beast Boy and he weren't exactly on great terms, and Raven was still confused by his recent behavior. She'd rather study the man in front of her devour processed food than look at her unmasked leader.

Next entered was Star like every morning; her flaming red locks were long, polished and smooth. Her pale pink t-shirt was low cut and high on her flat stomach. Her faded jeans were stylish and fit her model body like a glove. Raven didn't have to look at Robin to see his adoring face; the boy was head over heels for their Princess.

"Good morning teammates," Star said quietly, her face serene and happy. She was the only one that had managed to smile after Aqualad's death.

Raven had to remind herself; Star was kind, naïve at times and happy, but she knew death. She knew bloodshed. She knew sacrifice. Her people were warriors and she herself was one; the way her people dealt with death was much different than earth. People, heroes were mourned for their loss, Star's people, embraced their death for the sacrifice that it was. Star knew death and knew happiness would come after it for without his sacrifice, things could've ended much worse. Sometimes, Raven had to remind herself, that Starfire knew wisdom better than most people. It was why Raven respected the alien.

Beast Boy snorted and glanced to Raven, keeping quiet. They shared a secretive smile as Starfire hugged her boyfriend, and he wrapped his pale arms around her sun kissed waist. The sight made Raven wince and look away, even as her face remained impassive.

The last to arrive was Cyborg, his body shifting every time she saw him. It was small developed, his blue circuits becoming silver or white. Tubes were gone, under the skin. But the bags under his eyes were hard to miss and Raven felt a pang of sympathy for her best friend.

He stopped short, seeing the couple embracing, and turned to look directly at Raven. His scrutiny was heartfelt and a bit sympatric to her; he knew of her feelings. And though Raven still felt to a lesser degree for the masked man, her emotions were becoming less prominent. She was dealing with everything, she was handling everything in stride.

She still appreciated the look and understanding though.

The half machine cleared his throat loudly, earning sheepish looks from both of the heroes, and Cyborg eyed them warily before moving to stand beside Raven as she cradled her tea to her chest. His presence was enough to keep Raven from letting any of the negative emotions get to her. Thankfully she was learning control again, and the switch that had set her off months ago, was no longer viable.

Small miracles.

"Great, we're all here." Robin began. His unmasked eyes, bright blue in the early morning light, took in each member in turn. They lay on Star longer than necessary. "I thought I'd update everyone on Titans West and their new case today."

"Another case?" Cy asked quietly, his voice still a rumble from sleep. "They just took on and finished three. This week alone."

"Bumble Bee is leading her team well. They are being quite efficient." Star remarked, crossing her arms lightly against her stomach. Raven adjusted, cupping her tea closer, feeling a bit self-conscious of her own body compared to Star's; she had a small belly whereas Star did not. She was curvy, whereas Star was long and lean. She shook herself; now wasn't the time to let herself feel.

"They're grieving," Raven replied, tone dark and gruff. "They're taking their pain out on the criminals. This is their way of healing."

"Sounds productive," Beast Boy said, head bent as he wiped debris from his shirt.

Raven glared lightly. "It's dangerous."

"Raven's right," Robin agreed calmly. He didn't look at her but at Beast Boy. "Letting emotions rule you to fight crime leads to revenge. It leads to vigilantes. That's not what we do."

The team remained silent as he handed out packets of paper. Raven mentally floated hers' in front of her, unwilling to release the warmth of the tea just yet. Cyborg snorted softly next to her and Beast Boy smiled at the sight, ignoring Robin's forewarning.

"In any case, they are still our sister team, and we should support them when needed. Speedy has taken on a new case, going undercover in the city to find out the kingpin pushing drugs into the city, at the Mayor's request. He's been under for a few days now. We have progress notes."

The group glanced to the paper without reading it.

"Will Speedy be alright?" Star asked, lime eyes locking on Robin's blue orbs. "I worry for his safety. Drug rings are most unpleasant."

"We're all worried," Cyborg added.

Robin nodded, arms crossed over his broad chest. The dark t-shirt did nothing to hide how grown up Robin had become, seemingly overnight. "I trust Speedy. If anyone can bring down a drug ring, and find the leader to arrest, it's him."

One week later, they were gathered into the kitchen once more, all standing or sitting in their respective spots. Raven's tea was a different flavor, but still hot and cupped to her chest. Beast Boy was eating a different cereal, and Cyborg was drinking black coffee. Star hovered in the air, with a bottle of mustard in her hand. Robin stood in front of them, in a different shirt, a bright bold red.

"More progress notes from Speedy. He thinks they're finally starting to trust him. He's been promoted to their leader's right hand man."

"What did he do to get that spot?" Cyborg asked, grimly. Raven felt her heart drop as Robin rubbed the back of his neck tiredly.

"Shot a cop during a raid. The cop is going to make it, but there was a moment they thought he wouldn't. He's paralyzed from the waist down. After that, it proved his loyalty to the leader."

Sullenly, Beast Boy stood, leaving his box of cereal on the counter. Everyone felt the same as he did; it was crossing a line, but it had to happen. It was a necessary evil. One that couldn't be avoided.

"I wonder how Speedy is coping with this?" Star questioned thoughtfully. No one answered her.

A week and a half later, they gathered once more in the kitchen. This time, Robin didn't pass out papers or look calm. He looked a bit frazzled and conflicted.

He ran a hand through his dark locks, the spikes moving and falling into his eyes by force. The group watched, waited as the leader struggled with something.

"Robin, what's wrong?" Raven inquired, placing her tea on to the counter with a dull thump. Robin's blue orbs caught hers' and instantly her throat closed up. "Something happened to Speedy."

It wasn't a premonition; it was a feeling deep in her belly, a knowing sense. Raven knew something had happened, something too large for anyone to comprehend.

"We've lost contact with Speedy," he replied, voice hoarse. "Bumble Bee is worried, the team isn't fairing well without him. They're slowly cracking. And they can't interfere, everyone knows their faces. It could risk everything they've done and not to mention, risk Speedy's life."

"They need one of us to go undercover and find him." Starfire said, filling in her boyfriend's missing words. "We are not that well known over in Steel City. We can find him."

"It's dangerous," Robin said stiffly. "But we have to find him. He might have gotten into the ring too deeply to continue detailing his findings. If that's the case, he may need help and can't get it. We have to go undercover."

Beast Boy raised his hand, comically though no one laughed. "Who then?"

"I will." Raven volunteered, facing her teammates. Her bare feet were pale in the dim sunlight, and her purple locks sleek barely brushed her shoulders she looked at everyone in turn. She looked small, but defiant. "I can locate him with my powers. I'll be able to get him out of there."

Cyborg rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "She does have the street kid look." Raven rolled her eyes but he continued anyway. "As long as we have someone go with her, on the outside to pull everyone out in case of trouble, I think it's the best choice."

"My thoughts exactly," Robin nodded. Beast Boy couldn't exactly blend in, and neither could Star. "And I'll be her outside contact. Bee already sent me all the information and where he was last spotted. It's a week old, but who knows, we may get lucky. We leave in a few hours; we don't have time to waste. We'll get him out of there."

That night, Raven stood on the porch of a decrepit home, the shutters falling off the hinges, windows broken and glass covering the rotten wooden beams. Her black hoodie was one size too small, her jeans were a little too low on her hips, and her eyes were rimmed in black liner. Carefully keeping her mind blank, she was able to give the illusion of needle marks on her arms; they looked it, but if anyone felt her arms, they would be smooth to the touch.

And in her ear, was a small device connecting her to Robin, who stood on the roof, across the street hidden in the shadows from passersby.

Slowly, Raven knocked on the door and held her breath.

It swung open, a lanky, too skinny of a kid standing on the other side. At his waist was a hand gun, and his white t-shirt was stained. With what, Raven didn't want to know. "Yeah?"

"Yo," she shifted, making it appear as if she couldn't stand still. As if she was addicted to something she didn't have. She remembered what Cyborg had told her to say, how to say it... "I was told this is the place. You got it here, right?"

The kid, not much younger than Beast Boy, leaned on the frame and looked her over. He sniffed, and glanced back. "Got what?"

"Listen man," she itched her wrist, seemingly to pick at her flesh. She didn't realize how much she had to do, to appear as if she needed a fix. She was already getting tired remembering everything. "I just need one tonight. Then I'll be straight. Just one."

She could hear Robin's breathing in her ear as the kid shifted again. He imitated her, scratching his arms, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "You look like you could use it. You got the agonies*. I got what ya' need. C'mon." He waved her forward and opened the door.

The breath slowly released from her lungs as she took one step over the threshold.

"Good job Rae," her leader commented and she nodded slowly, scratching her head to cover the motion. Frankly, she had been nervous. Raven didn't know anything about drugs, and the fact she was relying on Cyborg's advice made it even more nerve wracking.

But she was in. Mentally, she let her mind fizzle out, trying to find Speedy.

She reached out as she walked into the crummy home; broken furniture was thrown about, pictures fallen from rotten nails were on the ground in pieces. One lamp lighted up the living room, but the kid didn't stop. She followed him upstairs.

As she stepped around stairs that looked less than safe, she mentally searched for the warm aura of Speedy; everyone had an aura and imprint in the world. Robin's was fire engine red, pulsating and haunting. Star's was a soothing green, and peaceful, but could turn dark when her anger took her. Cyborg's was brown - stable, grounding and strong. Beast Boy's was a rich blue, fun, overfilled with emotions, and enjoyable but daunting.

Speedy's was a burnt orange; it was warm, comforting, and reminded the empath of the spicy cologne he was partial to wearing. They reached the end of the hall, and Raven froze to her spot.

She could feel Speedy's imprint in the house, but he wasn't there anymore. Slowly the door opened, and inside were two more kids, hunched over, holding various tools, and the rotting smell of death coated the room. Raven held her stomach and her breath.

"What's your candy of choice?" The kid asked, walking further into the room. "We've got jelly, Apple jacks, jet…*"

Mentally, Raven tried to call up the street name of the drug she was looking for. Robin had said Speedy's ring was the only one in charge of it. If she wanted to find him, she needed to find the drugs first. "I'm looking for my aunt Hazel*. Seen her?"

The young girl in the corner, dressed in rags with blond dreadlocks, snorted. "She ain't here. You need to go to another place for her. She's only out for those that really need to find her. Her masters keep her locked up tight."

"Where?" Raven asked, moving closer to the girl. She hunched forward, holding her stomach, and vomited into a small trashcan by the far wall. Her face was covered in a cold sweat, but she was smiling as if she were looking at something beautiful behind her eyelids.

"Look for big man on the corner. He'll take ya if he thinks you're being true. If not, he'll kill you."

Down the street, Raven stood on the darkened corner, hearing the midnight tolls of a faraway church. She watched the cars stopping, then moving on at a leisurely pace; one man at the center of the traffic.

He was as big as Cyborg, with darker skin and one gold hoop in his left ear. He was dressed in a black suit, with shiny black boots. His long black coat was heavy in the early summer weather, but he wore it well. Inside the pockets, were drugs of all kinds.

Robin had told her that she didn't need to continue this; he had seen how shaken she had been when she left the crack house. He thought it was because she had been scared – and maybe on a level she had been – but she was more overwhelmed of the feelings of the kids that had been thrown at her. She had felt their desperation, had felt their pain, and had felt their loss and their need of the drugs to make them whole. It rocked her. It made her angry and sad and she had no way of knowing why.

Children, kids, shouldn't have had to felt that way. They shouldn't have been abandoned; they shouldn't have felt as if a drug was the only thing good in the world. As soon as she had left the home, Raven had thrown up, emotions churning in her stomach leaving a sour taste still there.

But she was here to find Speedy; what if something had happened to him? He was her friend. He was her teammate. And she was not going to lose another friend, not if she could help it.

Carefully, she approached the large man, having to glance up at him to even speak. She didn't meet him head on that she wanted to – and maybe knock him through a wall - but instead she continued playing her part. "I was told you're the one I go to for what I need." She ducked her head, pulling her sleeves up and down; giving the impression of a nervous habit.

The man looked at her, took in her scuffed up shoes, her stringy locks, her darkened eyes that smeared at the corners of her almond orbs. He nodded once, and then jerked his head. Raven glanced to the left and saw a low black sedan waiting, with the engine running.

"Jones isn't here*. But you can find him with the car." His voice was deep, powerful. If Raven hadn't been a superhero, with the blood of a demon in her veins, she'd be intimidated. "Go."

Nodding awkwardly, she scurried to the sedan and climbed in. The car took off, at a slow pace, pulling away from the big man and the street corner. She knew Robin followed overhead.

The car stopped abruptly, making Raven slide forward in the street, her jeans sticking uncomfortably to the leather. She peeled herself out, the driver never once turning back to acknowledge her. If she was carting what appeared to be a drug addict to a drug exchange, she would never glance back either.

Stepping out, Raven looked up into a grand home. The lights burned inside with warmth, and the siding was a burnt red, with white trim. The house was lovingly taken care of and it showed.

That was not what she had been expecting.

Raven walked to the front door, and hesitantly knocked on the door. Another large man, with dark coffee colored skin and curly hair opened the door to peer down his nose at her. Bristling but not showing it, Raven tugged on her sleeves again and hopped on the heels of her feet.

"Jones here?"

The man glanced back and nodded once. He pointed over his shoulder, to the side of the house. "Go out back."

The door shut soundly, and Raven sighed, exasperated.

She dragged her feet to the side of the house the man had indicated, feeling the exhaustion in her bones. It was late, she had been up early that morning, and the emotional rollercoaster of the day was enough to make her sleep a week. She needed to find Speedy, and now.

The plain white service door was opened and waiting for her when she turned the corner. There wasn't anyone waiting, so she stepped inside.

The room was cold. And dark. And quickly, Raven felt out looking for Speedy before her nerves and emotions got to her. She didn't like the room; it was like a basement, and the creepy vibes the room was sending out was terrifying. Swiftly, a light bulb turned on overhead, just as a spark of orange caught her mind's eye.

"Looking for a fix?" The voice said, as Raven blinked. The man was older, heavy set, with richly tailored clothing fitting his massive body. To his right, was Speedy.

They locked eyes, and Raven felt her friend deflate; she saw the sheen on his forehead, and saw the hopping of his feet. His arms were behind his back, but he looked at the pile of drugs on the table like he wanted to reach out and claim them for himself.

Raven felt her heart drop as her throat closed up. Her best friend was addicted to the drugs he had hoped to get off the streets. It was as obvious as the bright copper of his locks.

"Well?" The man prompted, his eyes locked on her. She shifted, and nodded, gesturing to the table.

"Yes." She cleared her throat. "How much?"

Glancing her over, he stared bluntly at her chest, then to her hips. The look made Raven want to crawl away but she held firm. "We can arrange payment after your trip." He pointed to Speedy. "Roy will take you to a room and help you out."

His uncovered amber orbs, full of fire and life, were dull with regret and pain. He began to walk and Raven followed, keeping her mouth shut until she could talk and not endanger him.

They went into a side room, only three doors down. There was a messy bed, with a desk and a singular lamp on it. There was a pile of clothes in the corner and Raven could feel Speedy's presence in the room. She wanted to relax but as the door closed, Speedy spun her, pushing her against it, his hips trapping her against him. She couldn't move, and she'd have to use her powers if she wanted to get away.

"Why are you here?" His breath smelled like death and Raven silently cursed the Gods. "You shouldn't be here Raven."

"You were missing Roy." She bit out, purple eyes glaring at her friend. "Your team couldn't find you. We were worried. And you're addicted." He reacted as if slapped. "You need to get out of here. Now."

"No, I'm too close." He yanked away from her, as if the sight of her repulsed him. "He's giving me more and more liberties. He's letting me in on everything. I'm this close Rae, this close." He held up his fingers as if the distance were tangible. "I can't back off now."

"Roy," she said slowly, watching as he sat down heavily on to the bed. He hunched forward, pain taking control of his stomach as he whimpered. "Roy, you can't stay. You're hurting."

"I'm fine," he bit out, ruffling through the bottom of his bed. "I'm getting him off the streets. Making it better for the kids here." His amber eyes glanced to Raven; he was grey, ashen and sick. His orange hair was cropped short, and sleeked down with sweat. He looked terrible. "Can't you see Raven? I'm doing something great. I'm making the world better. Just like Aqualad did."

The tip of the needle touched the vein on his arm and Raven reacted immediately. Using her dark telekinesis, she ripped it from his hands, and plunged the needle into the wall with such force it startled the empath. But she didn't think on it too long before focusing on Roy.

"Aqualad would not want you to sacrifice yourself like this. He wouldn't want you to kill yourself. You're hurting yourself over nothing. Nothing, Roy." She knelt before him, grabbing his chin in her small hand. He was clammy to the touch. She could feel his life force slipping away from him. "I'm going to help you. I'm going to make sure you get better. Do you understand me Roy Harper? We're going to do this together. You're not going to hurt like this anymore."

Finally, a spark, a light filled the archer's eyes as his shoulders fell. "I hurt Rae, really bad." He slumped forward, and Raven let his head rest on her shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. "And I miss my best friend. I can't even remember his face anymore. The drugs – they help. But it hurts. So bad, Rae."

She closed her eyes against the onslaught of his pain, letting it wash over her shields. She held him as best as she could to comfort him. "I know, Roy. I know."

The next few nights after Raven found Roy passed in a blur. Raven teleported Speedy back to his tower that evening, as Robin alerted the local police to the king pin's home. With the information Roy had kept on the man, including the details of all the places where drugs were stored and sold, he helped bust the largest drug ring in the city. Dozens of people were arrested as homes and storage areas were broken into, and drugs were taken off the streets.

It didn't make getting Roy better any easier.

Robin never once commented on Raven's adamant help of Roy. She watched him day and night. When he awoke with a fever, she was there with a cool cloth. When he was thirsty, there was always water. When the dreams took him, she calmed him with soothing words and soft touches.

As she watched the archer, Robin watched her.

A strong emotion, one he couldn't place took root in his belly. It was tight with dread and worry, but biting. He hated the way Raven nursed Speedy, the way she seemed to know everything he needed and what he wanted to say but never did. Their closeness, which used to be of banter and slight flirting, changed before the leader's eyes. It grew to fondness, to understanding, to appreciation.

And he could swear something more was growing in the archer's eyes for their friend Raven.

He was thinking on it, as he and his girlfriend watched a movie in the Titan's East common room. It had been over a month since they saved Speedy from the house; out of loyalty to Roy they didn't tell the others of his state and of his addiction. That was something he would have to work out on his own, on his time. It wasn't Robin or Raven's place to mention it. They only worried about getting him better.

Including, signing him up for recovery classes. He had already gone to three.

Now, Raven was back at the tower with Robin, in her room, meditating. Cyborg was working in his lab. Beast Boy was in his room, playing video games. With their return, the guilt and blame that hovered around the tower after Aqualad's passing had lifted. It was still there, but Robin felt like he could breathe again. He felt as if everything was slowly working out.

"You are overthinking again Robin," Star said suddenly to his side. He glanced to her, brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

She sighed, smiling softly. "You get a look on your face when you are trying to solve a puzzle that doesn't seem to have an answer. You are overthinking. What's on your mind?"

Ever since they had begun their new stage of their relationship, their closeness had increased. Star was more observant and Robin was more affectionate. Their bond was strong, and Robin could feel love taking root into his heart for the Princess. It was warm and soothing and her touch drove him insane.

In fact, he was sure he had fallen for her, the first day she had kissed him.

"I'm just thinking about Roy."

"And Raven," Star added thoughtfully. At her boyfriend's curious if not shocked look, she shrugged. "You have taken more notice of her recently, as if you are trying to protect her from something no one can see. You are worried for her. Perhaps it is because during the battle with Slade, she was terribly injured." Briefly, Robin flashed to the days he spent by her side in the med lab and nodded, conceding. He had never been so worried to lose her than that day; even in Hell, locating her, the worry hadn't been as extreme. "And her healing has changed. You take her safety on to your shoulders, more so than the others of this team. I believe it is because when Trigon came into our world, you saved Raven then. And I think you will always want to save her and feel she needs to be saved.

"But she is a strong woman, Robin. She is powerful. And if Speedy steals her heart, I think she will handle it fine."

Sighing, Robin rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. His girlfriend was right; was that the only reason he was always watching Raven? Why he made her tea in the morning? Made sure her privacy was respected? Took offense when she seemed to not notice his attentions? Because he thought of himself as her personal protector? "And if he breaks her heart?"

"Then I believe Raven is strong enough to handle that as well. You must let what is meant to happen, happen."

Snuggling closer to his side, Robin kissed his girlfriend's forehead, even if the idea of Raven dating Speedy twisted his stomach. And he wasn't sure why.

That night, sitting lotus style in her room, with books, her mirror and her communicator on her bed, Raven sighed tiredly.

Her emotions for Robin had decreased, and she had just returned from putting more guards over the link keeping them bonded. It was a tiring exercise, but if it kept their privacy, if it kept her from feeling for her best friend's boyfriend, then she would do it gladly.

Her communicator rang, and lifting it into long fingers, she flipped it open, to see Roy's face. He was smiling, which was a new thing she was becoming accustomed to again, with a healthy glowing face, and flirtatious eyes.

"Hey Rae!" He greeted, smiling widely.

"Hello Roy," she returned, edging back on to her bed, as her pillows propped her up. "How was your session today?"

"Great, it just finished. They said I'm doing really well for quitting cold turkey after the amount I had pumped into my veins. But I've got a long road ahead of me." He rubbed the back of his skull, biting his bottom lip. "Hey, what are you doing tomorrow night?"

Smirking, she shrugged. "Probably saving the world. Like every other night." She deadpanned, earning a chuckle from the archer.

"Well if Rob can spare you, I'd like to take you out. You and I. Together." His face was hopeful, open and earnest. Raven couldn't stop the flutter of something in her belly, as her lips pulled up into a soft smile.

"I'm sure he can. Where did you want to go?"

AN: Truth be told – this award winning story in the comics is epic. And it's not Raven that finds and helps Speedy, but Black Canary, creating a strong bond between them (like a mother/ son relationship – at least to me). I'll still have it, because it helps set up another one-shot in this story, but Raven was obviously chosen to help their relationship and progress it. I know a lot of diehards will hate the change, but understand it's happening for a reason.

And to be honest, set in Titan's cartoon time, Raven seems the most likely to bring someone out of the dark; again this will set up something else in the future. I love the foreshadowing component of these one shots!

** Drug references: I know nothing about drugs – good thing too – so a lot of these were looked up, or confirmed with others. Just because I live in NY, and in an upstate inner city, does not mean drugs are all over ;) So if something is wrong, I apologize now.

"You got the agonies." – Agonies are the symptoms of withdrawal. So when the kid says this to Raven, he's meaning that she's going through withdrawal and could use a fix to counteract it. Also means, Raven's doing a damned good job at acting.

"Apple jacks, jet, and jelly, Aunt Hazel, Jones" – these all refer to drugs – crank, cocaine, heroin etc.

So what did we think? Let me know!

Peace

Next chapter: Roy's road isn't smooth sailing and Raven's there for the journey; Beast Boy has to come clean to the Titans as an old face appears, Starfire has to weight options and Cyborg finally understands Robin. Somewhat.