Yet another chapter! And Merry Christmas to you all! This is my present to my readers, a new chapter! It's a good read and carries on from the last cliffhanger with Cyborg finding out what's going on between Raven and Slade. As well as some other events! So enjoy the read and please leave reviews to let me know how I'm doing! Thank you all for the reviews I do have, as they really cheer me up and make me smile. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

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Chapter 28: Facade

Cyborg was having a hard time believing the sight in front of him. When they were all downstairs, Cyborg had got the feeling there was a stronger connection between Raven and Slade. It was a subject he wanted to have a private talk about with Raven. Since everyone was getting back to bed for a few hours, he figured this would have been the best chance to have the conversation with her and ventured to her room. Upon entering, he fell upon the most unthinkable fear imaginable. Slade was sitting on Raven's bed with her in his lap and cradling her. His head rested upon hers and she was curled up snugly to his chest. It was almost a touching moment had it not been the fact it was their worst enemy, Slade. The very thought of a romance blossoming between his friend and enemy sickened the half-man, half-robot...and he refused to believe Raven was a willing participant. Thick arms were folded angrily over his chest as Cyborg glared at Slade and awaited an answer. Neither moved from their spots, all three a little shaken from the situation.

"It's quite simple. I've taken a fond liking in your friend. And I believe she has developed the same fondness for me as well."

Raven stayed silent and drew closer to Slade's chest, hiding her face. Wintergreen catching them was worse enough, but having her own friends catching her was the worst humiliation. It was a sure bet that Cyborg would be concerned enough to tell the others and they would cast her from the tower. The more Cyborg stared at Raven withdrawing from him and into Slade, the more he remembered she did have a shy side and was probably frightened from being caught. He tried focusing only on Raven so his anger would fade away.

"Rav, c'mon. You gotta talk to me. It's me, Cy! Just...how did all of this happen? What caused this?"

A pair of shy violet eyes overlooked the armored forearm and stared at Cyborg for a moment in thought. There was only a lingering sense of anger in Cyborg's aura. It calmed Raven down slightly, just enough that she felt comfortable to speak to her old friend.

"I...I really don't know. At one time when he was training me...to help me mesh better with my demon blood, my powers surged and threw the power out. I remember a scent of leather and metal...and how...how remarkable it was. And the time he was injured going to Lex and got ambushed...he came back severely injured...and I couldn't help but think of how he helped us out with Trigon even though he got what he wanted...you realize he risked his mortal life a second time just to fight with us and beat Trigon? And...I healed him when Lex ambushed him...cause a second time, he was risking his life to hide me away safely."

The two males in the room stared at one another. Slade with a hardened, determined look he was famous for, and Cyborg with a thoughtful but cold stare. Slowly, her friend was beginning to see the source of Slade's determination and had to believe it was true. It was dizzying how complicated this all had become.

"Y'know if Robin ever finds out-"

"Then it would be wise you don't tell him."

The venom in Slade's voice seeped right into Cyborg's heart. Here he was looking at the most forbidden of all acts. A friend having a relationship with the enemy, who was undoubtedly much older than them all. Yet both of them seemed...connected and on the same level with one another.

"Rav, can I have a word with you? ALONE?"

Slade tightened his arms around Raven but found it might be better if she did have some alone time with her friend. Slowly he let her back onto the bed and stood up. The glaring blue eye stayed on Cyborg, a silent warning for him to not to try anything. Raven gave Slade a look of fear being left but immediately forced her sight to the floor. Slade opened the window and hopped out, going to the roof to wait. There was a quiet air between the two Titans before Cyborg drew closer and sat down beside her. Raven glanced up and saw Cyborg putting an arm around her.

"Rav...what has he done to you? He ain't here now so you can tell me the truth. Ok? What was it? Some kind of drug? Blackmail?...Did he promise you some kind of crazy, lavish life? With a big house, money and maids? Cause if so, I want in!"

For the first time, Raven gave a smile and a little giggle. How could Cyborg joke about this? They have had numerous battles with Slade and deep grudges for his manipulation of their leader Robin and good friend Terra. Raven felt sympathy for Beast Boy when the truth was revealed about Terra and how heartbroken he became. If Beast Boy found out about Slade taking another great friend from him, it would shatter the poor boy's heart and soul.

"No, no...it's nothing like that...what I told you is the truth. He was a little...cold and cruel at first, but Cy...I was really getting to know him. He...He told me a lot about himself, about his past...he actually...opened up to me. You believe that? And he told me...he told me he used to be married. Married...a guy like him."

Tears poured from her soft violet eyes rocked Raven and could see she was losing ground and grasp of true reality. It felt like he was holding his friend and she was crumbling apart right in his palms. There was a fragility about Raven now that Cyborg had never known. She always had been a strong individual, independent and secretive. A young woman who knew how to keep her emotions in check and had a firm grasp of what right and wrong was. All the time she had spent to correct the wrong in her blood...and now...Cyborg didn't know what was going to happen to her. The scared, crying and vulnerable friend in his arms was breaking his heart.

"Married? Him?...Man, never thought a girl would like a guy like that."

"...You know...I never thought so either."

"Look...I ain't gonna tell Robin but...I can't help you decide what you are goin' to do in the end. Ain't no way we're gonna change to criminals, and ain't no way Slade's gonna be changing his ways. So after this Lex thing...well...you gotta choose. "

"I know...but you know, when Slade asked that...I told him what he'd think if I stayed with my friends. With you guys...he wasn't mad. He didn't say anything mean or cruel about it. Just that...he would never be mad at me for it and I should know that by now."

Cyborg perked a brow at the statement and for a moment, snuck a look to the window to see if that criminal was spying on them. The windows were empty and there was no looming spy there. What this case was, was Raven fell in love. It was a terrific feeling and Cyborg knew this. He even knew what it was like to have a fondness for the enemy and couldn't be very angry about the situation. If only it could have been someone much less threatening...

"Raven, it'll all get figured out. Till then, just stay with us, ok? It's almost sunrise. Wanna go say bye to him?"

An astonished feature came across Raven's face. It was hard to believe Cyborg had suggested she see Slade off. Cyborg gave a positive smile and rubbed her back. It was the reassurement she needed and it made her heart swell. Trusting Cyborg with this secret could be a blessing...or a nightmare. She rushed to the window and got out, going to the top where he did wait for her.

Cyborg let Raven go top the roof and put his head in his hands. Fingers ran over the bald scalp as he tried to think of a way to fix all of this without Robin knowing. The last transmission they received from Raven and Slade involved Raven looking beat up for a stunt to fool Lex...it was also where Raven looked Robin square in the eye and challenged his questions. The stare she bore into Robin's eyes was not too different from the one Terra had, from the one Slade had...Slade was poisoning her mind, her soul and very being. That very poison was turning her a darker color and changing the Raven they knew. Despite all of that truth though, and the way Raven seemed to be unraveling at the seams...she couldn't act happier. Something about being with Slade, at his side and basking in his care and affection, made her content and happy. If they forced her to stay with them...they'd kill her happiness and she would never forgive them...would she?

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The two of them sat on the roof in silence as they watched the constellations go by and the horizon begin to lighten. Morning was not far off and it meant he would be leaving. It would be the first night in a while without him and it felt...wrong. Regardless of the rape, of the insults and beatings...she found he had a heart. Their twisted, sick romance was special to them and meant everything. Meant every sacrifice and every torture...

"Am I mistaken in the thought...that you might miss me, pretty bird?"

"I won't. You kidnapping, despicable rapist."

When Slade glanced to her she was smiling and thought for a second, he glimpsed a bit of mischieviousness in her. Slade smirked behind the mask and turned back to the horizon. It was nice to finally find someone to open up to and have fun with again...and slowly she was beginning to turn her colors and favor him.

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Lex drummed his fingers on the hardwood desk in thought. The sunrise had broken over the horizon and the warm rays were pouring in through the windows. As he stared out at that eastern horizon, he wondered what place would be suitable for the meeting. Somewhere desolate and out of public eye. Lex had given thought to placing the meeting in the desert near an abandoned army base, as it would be out of the way and rather exclusive. The Joker was sitting in a chair near the window, playing with a billiard ball with a clown face on it. He had remained quiet the whole morning, waiting for Lex's final decision so he could move on with gathering the men and putting them in position.

"Ohhh Lex...you ought to make your mind up soon. I'm sure that neanderthal mercenary wants his money today...as you want your pretty demonic bird."

"I'm leaning quite close to the abandoned army base near the mountains. It's remote and by time any kind of authorities find out about the trouble, it'll be over with and I'll be long gone."

The Joker grinned and snatched the billiard ball out of the air and stood up.

"Well it seems that would be the place then. Let's go set up the fun!"

Both men were smiling when they got up and headed out of the office. It was time to rally up their troops and set up the meeting with Slade. It didn't make Lex happy to know he'd have to let Slade go back without a scratch but in the end, it'd be worth it. Putting tracking chips in the money was a brilliant plan so they could get Raven themselves and then dispose of Slade. Would Slade have predicted that? Luthor didn't think so, but predicted he might meet a battle on this first meeting and be too on guard to investigate the tampered bills in the money.

"Get it all set up, Joker. I'll be making a call to Slade and telling him the time and location. We'll make the meeting around one in the afternoon."

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The spacious room had a hollow air and lonely feeling. There was no smiling young woman awaiting him or fiery warrior ready to fight him. It was a torturous solitude to sit in the bed where they were so close to truly opening themselves and ready to share their honest feelings. These sheets had kept warm one of the most beautiful creatures he's ever encountered. For such a long time he'd been blinded toward that goddess, until the event with Trigon. It was a true hell to be dead and encounter the likes of the other world, yet...he was happy for it. Otherwise, he never would have learned of Raven's secrets, her past and gotten to know who she really was. That event was hell and heaven at the same time...he'd been betrayed by a demon but learned much about a young woman whom he wanted to learn more about. The satin sheets brought no comfort to his body as he laid on the wide bed. A nap sounded good but as he laid down, the only things he could think of was holding that warm body, smelling faint traces of vanilla and iris...experiencing the expanding warmth in his chest that spread to every finger and toe. He had never felt this way about anyone, not even his own wife...

"Slade?"

"Yes, Wintergreen?"

Wintergreen looked to his masked friend lying on the bed and could tell he was in a mild state of depression. The look in his blue eye explained it all. Seeing Slade in this mood was rare and Wintergreen had only seen it a few number of times.

"Lex is ready to make an appointment..."

"Ah, good."

Slade got up from the bed and left the room. Wintergreen followed after and hoped Slade wouldn't let any hints out where Raven had been transferred. The look in his eye, the attitude and lack of interest other than her could give away the whole scheme. Yet...Wintergreen knew he had to have more faith in his friend than that. For years they known each other, ever since Nam, and not once had known Slade to falter or be mislead.

They entered a large, dark room full of screens, control panels and tables with files and folders strewn across the surface. It was Slade's research room, where he monitored his security, the city and worked on his blueprints for new equipment. Slade sat in a comfortable office chair and stared at the screen with apprehension. Lex Luthor had a straight poker face and gave a nod towards Slade's entrance.

"You've come up with a location then, Lex?"

"Yes...There's an abandoned Army base outside the city, near the mountains. Chancer's base as I recall the name. It's remote and out of public eye, a suitable location I thought. I will come with only myself and the Joker. You will come by yourself, I presume."

"Of course...I wouldn't chance bringing that witch sooner than receiving my money. Especially under the circumstances."

"Understood. I thought one in the afternoon would be a suitable time. Good?"

"One is agreeable. I shall be out there at that time."

Slade turned the screen off and sat back in the chair. Would the others be ready in time? Slade checked to make sure the anti-tapping system was running and began to connect into Titan's Tower. The call was received and soon he staring at all the Titans together. Seeing Raven there tugged at the heart but he had to be professional in front of them and not let the others get ideas. Immediately his eye sought out the hard faced Robin and focused his attentions there. This was the most believable and expected route.

"I've had my talk with Lex. The time is one this afternoon at Chancer's Army base, in the southern outer limits of the city. Now, have you abided by the agreement and called upon your friends on the East?"

"Yes, we have and they are on their way. This better work Slade!"

"Oh, it will...Just as long as you follow my command."

"We're not yours to command!"

Starfire and Cyborg settled hands on Robin's shoulders to calm their friend down and then gave equal gazes of anger towards the image on their screen. Raven too adopted a hardened glare but Slade could see right through it. All she was doing was upholding the facade and keeping her little friends in the dark about her secret.

"Robin, if you do not follow my orders, it will prove difficult fighting Lex. I already have a platoon of my robots ready to go. Given the geography of the place, you and the robots will be waiting on the other side of the mountains surrounding the area until a direct order is given. The job is simply to keep our eyes peeled."

"I thought you said this was going to be an ambush!"

"I thought it over...and no. It isn't quite right. Let's keep the wool over Lex's eyes and pretend we're going along with the plan. You, the Titans East and the robots are my insurance, so to speak...if something does happen, you all will be able to act on it immediately. After all, don't I deserve it for keeping your precious demoness safe for as long as I have? You owe me, Robin, for that and much more if I recall."

It made sense Slade wanted to collect his debt from the Trigon battle now and uptake on Robin the favors he done. Robin seethed on the inside at the fact Slade reminded him of the debt he owed to Slade for helping him find Raven in the first place. Otherwise they all probably wouldn't even be here today.

"I thought our homage to that debt was participating in your plans in the first place!"

Raven's glare and radiating frustrations were felt by all in the room, even by Slade on the screen. Only two others knew this was just keeping face but it riled the others up enough to begin talking back to their enemy. The chatter and complaints rose to a high before Slade raised his voice and took command of the group again.

"Is this the blackmail your kind refers this treachery of? You Slade are a very bad man and honorable of nothing! Only doing good things if there is something of gain!"

Starfire's clenched fists and glaring green eyes said all she was feeling on the inside. Slade took time to stare at her and think about the things she said. If only the flighty alien knew what was between him and Raven, she wouldn't feel like that. It was time to end this transmission and coerce them into following the orders. Slade turned back to Robin without a word to Starfire's childish outbursts.

"You've heard me, Robin. I plan on seeing you all there."

The screen went blank and for a while the fuming Titans stared at it before they turned away and sat down. They had to contact their friends and tell them the locations they'd be going to. Gloved fingers slid through black hair as Robin sunk his head down and fought with himself about the decisions he had to make and soon. They only had about three hours before they made their choice and went to the Chancer's abandoned Army base. Raven sat on the couch in silence staring at the floor. How come she was finding it so easy to deceive her friends?

"Raven, don't worry. We'll get through this, right? Ain't no problemo! After all this, we'll be back here and laughing!"

Beast Boy's goofy grin pried a small smile from Raven but she still chose to remain silent. Cyborg watched Raven from the corner of his eye and didn't know what to think about her. his best friend was in love and it was frightening to see how easily she was fooling the rest of them. If he hadn't walked in on the two of them, he would be fooled as well. It was...becoming dangerous to have her around. Trust was limited and her creditability had dropped to the bottom. Still...it didn't mean he wouldn't care for her or what happens. He was determined to fight till the end and protect her from Lex Luthor.