I wrote this part of the story after seeing a documentary about comics on the History channel. At some point in the old Batman comics, Batman did marry Cat Woman, or Bruce Wayne married Selena Kyle as it were. In a way the changes I made to this story was supposed to make it one of healing for Robin (coming to terms with his past) as well as Raven. Since the episode "Go" of the Teen Titans cartoon hinted at a not so good parting between Batman and Robin, I wanted to make it a reconciliation between these two.

The End is Only a New Beginning Part 7

After a few more days with the Master they make a stop in Gothem. Bruce is currently on his honeymoon right now. Robin guesses that's just as well since they didn't part on the best of terms. It's good for him to get a chance to visit Alfred again.

"You and Master Bruce may have had a disagreement but he will be most disappointed if he misses you."

"We've been gone almost a month now, what's a few more days...Dick."

"You're not going to let me hear the end of this are you Rae?"

"Maybe I will-if we can stay."

"Why did I have to be named Richard? Alright we can stay, but you know what will happen once we get home since we've been gone so long."

"I survived it before."

"I guess we'll stay Alfred."

"Very well Master Dick. You will find your room is just as you left it."

"Then I'm not so sure it's safe to go in."

"Are you joking? You have the cleanest room back at the tower."

"Only because I'm a professional insomniac now."

"You must be tired from such a long trip. I shall prepare a room for you Miss Raven."

"You don't have to go to any trouble, I'm not really that tired right now anyway."

"She slept most of the plane ride back. I think she's anxious to get a new uniform so she can go back to being a Titan again."

"New? You mean as in a new identity?"

"I thought that would be better, than letting all the villains figure out I'm blind now." Raven turns toward Robin's general direction. When are we going to this designer you keep talking about?"

"We are here. Anything you want, Alfred can design. I'll let the two of you work it out while I go catch a nap."

Alfred waits until Robin is out of earshot. "You have no need to worry. Master Dick chose the traffic light colors."

"Everyone makes fun of him, but I think it has something to do with his family."

"Yes. So what did you have in mind?"

"Something as far away from Raven as possible without being cute. Robin came up with the idea of Themis."

"One of the Titans, Greek goddess of Justice. What about an ancient Greek look but with a modern and slightly gothic twist?"

"I'm listening."

*****

Alfred is sketching out his idea when Robin returns. He doesn't even look up from his work. "You really do need to try to get more sleep Master Dick."

"Everyone always tells me that I get too involved."

"Perhaps you should listen."

"There's always one villain that gets under every hero's skin—we've all had one."

"Master Bruce even knows when to let the Joker go and get some rest."

Robin looks around. "Where's Raven?"

"Meditating, in the garden I do believe. I've heard Master Bruce speak of the Titans often, Miss Raven is definatly not as he describes."

"She's changed a lot, Alfred. So what did the two of you come up with?"

Alfred holds up his sketch. "I call it modernized Greek with a Gothic twist."

Robin looks over the sketch. It looks like an ancient white Greek outfit but has a tight fitting bustier that covers a torn top like thing to the traditional Greek attire and a short skirt with a torn off look with torn like splits up both sides. There are also gold metallic fishnet stockings and two gold arm bands on the upper arms and white ankle boots with a high but not too high heel. A curious part of it is the blindfold. "She would love it if she could see it, but why the blindfold?"

"It was Miss Raven's idea to hide her eye color since she can't see. She said it fit the look more than a mask. I'm just finishing up work on a hair piece that will drape down over her forehead to hide her gemstone." He points out the part that actually hides the gemstone is shaped like a set of scales. "Miss Raven may not be able to see it with her eyes, but I'm sure she can clearly imagine it in her mind."

"No one would ever guess that she's Raven wearing that."

"Once I find some way to change my hair color without dying it. That would be too much trouble as fast as my hair grows."

Robin looks up to see Raven standing in the doorway. "Well, you could either get a wig..." Robin watches as Raven follows the sound of his voice while using her folding cane to make sure she doesn't run into anything. "...or maybe Jinx could help you with a spell that would do it."

"All I need to do now is take some measurements and then I can begin work on your new look Miss Raven."

"There is just one thing missing." Helps guide Raven to a seat beside him. "I believe in you Raven, but I can't deny that this scares me. I would feel much better if you had some sort of weaponry to protect yourself. Something like a staff, sword, even a whip."

"Whip? Why would I need that?"

"It was a period weapon. I can design you a staff that would double as one of those folding canes so you wouldn't need to carry a separate one with you."

"A whip might not be such a bad idea. I could use it on Beast Boy when he's being annoying. Honestly I would feel better if I had something to protect myself with."

"I'll work on that then. How about one of those newer laser whip things?..I could even design that as part of the staff/cane."

"I could use it to shock Beast Boy that would shut him up."

Alfred arches an eyebrow at the turn this conversation has taken. "Is there a chaperon at Titans Tower?"

Robin scratches his head a bit. "Ahhh..."

"Once, but she turned out to be an evil psychic vampire so we had to get rid of her. Once bitten twice shy as they say."

"Yeah, what she said. I'll go start work on those weapons now."

As Robin leaves, Alfred turns to Raven. "A psychic vampire?"

"Yeah, that wasn't pretty."

*****

A week later Bruce and Selena return from their honeymoon. Alfred meets them at the door. "I trust you had a good trip Master Bruce.

"Very good, wasn't it my dear?"

"I like hearing you say that. It's so much nicer than fighting as Batman and Catwoman."

"There is a surprise waiting for you in the parlor."

"Surprise?" Bruce looks at Selena before walking with her to the parlor.

Robin looks up as Raven cocks an ear toward the doorway. He stands up as Bruce and Selena enter the room.

"Dick...this by far has to be the best wedding present."

"It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too." Robin turns around, "Bruce, Selena, this is Raven."

Bruce crosses the room and holds out his hand toward Raven. "It's nice to finally meet you. I must admit, I've followed the Titans for sometime now."

"She can't see. Eleven'o'clock. Raven."

Raven holds out her hand where Robin instructed catching Bruce's and shaking it. "I thought I sensed someone out there watching."

Bruce laughs as he shakes Raven's hand. "I must have driven you crazy the first few months then."

Selena walks over to Raven. "Why don't we go freshen up and leave these two to catch up on old times?"

Raven lets Selena take her by the hand and lead her from the room.

Selena speaks quietly as they walk away. "I don't know how you got Dick to stay, but I'm glad you did. Bruce has really missed him."

"I sensed that from Alfred. I threatened to tell the rest of the team his nickname if he didn't wait."

Robin turns to Bruce after Raven and Selena are gone. "So...I see you finally decided to settle down."

"I let Selena talk me into it. We kept meeting each other at charity functions. We really care for each other and if I didn't take time to settle down now, I knew I never would. And Selena already knows about the whole Batman thing-so I don't have to make excuses about working late."

"You really came to Jump City?"

"Once I heard about you and the Titans. You've done a good job."

"I had a good teacher...about what—"

"—its in the past. Lets put it behind us."

"Okay. I really could use some advice now."

"Anything to do with Raven? The last time I saw her, I'm pretty sure she could see."

"She came down with Scarlett Fever. She's only half human...and well-she almost died. In the end she lost her vision. She wants to take on a new identity and still fight. The more I think about it the more that scares me."

"If she sensed me when I watched you all from afar then, she does have an edge. I made sure to stay out of sight. If she thought I was a threat, I'm sure she would have said something to you."

"That's different."

"You care about her."

"She's like the sister I never had. We almost lost her when she was sick. I was right there-holding her in my arms and I could feel her slipping away. I never told the rest of the team about that."

"I think you need to let Raven try. There is something else that you should consider as well."

"What's that?"

"There are a lot of young children-adults too with disabilities. They'll have someone to inspire them to follow their dreams."

"I guess that's what Raven's trying to do...she doesn't want to let the team down."