Chapter 10: Move

Raven had packed up her kids easily. They all were confused why they were suddenly being moved once more but Raven had made sure to explain that it was for the best for them. There was great emphasis on the fact that the dragon wouldn't be able to reach them. She helped them fold their clothes and put them into their bags. Timmy and Teehter had gotten into it over a shirt. They argued loudly over who was to have what when finally Melvin took the shirt and through it in her bag. Both of them pouted but continued to pack up their things still arguing. Raven had used her magic to pack up her room along with their packed things to go wherever Slade was to take them. She held Cyan close as he slept soundly on her shoulder from his exhaustive siblings. Her feet carried her out of the room to the main room where the titans met every day, all day. The team was doing what the normally were doing when there was no crime to be fought till they saw her.

"Raven?" Robin called.

She sighed deeply as her kids came crashing into the room arguing over something or another. "Team, I have some news."

"What's up Rae?" Beast Boy asked perching on the edge of the couch.

"We will be leaving the tower." She announced wiping Timmy's face from the blood that Teether had caused from biting.

"Why?" Cyborg asked standing from the videogame he was playing.

"It's no longer safe here for them or any of you. I'm doing this to keep everyone alive."

"Friend Raven, you are safe here. We would all go to the ends of the Earth for you." Starfire floated over to her demon friend. "Aren't your children and you equipped to do battle as well?"

"I want all of you alive." Her hand came up to show something similar to Trigon's devastation if he got ahold of them. The world was going to crumble and there would be no coming back from that. "He's after me. And I'll do everything I can to keep him away from you. My children will not have any part of this war either. Star, you are my best friend." Her head cocked to the side. "Do you remember when the puppet master switched our bodies and we learned a lot about each other?"

"Of course," Star nodded.

"Well, I never said it but I did everything I could to make sure you at least survived our interaction with him. Your safety was a priority over mine. And it still is. Malchoir won't stop this madness till one of us is dead. And with luck it will be him or both of us. Just promise me one thing?"

"You must not say such things!" Starfire sobbed.

"Star," Robin called wrapping his arm around her.

Starfire, with tears in her eyes, grabbed onto Raven's hand. "What is it you want me to promise?" she understood that battle came with sacrifices.

"Should something happen to me, you will take care of my kids." She smiled looking down at her arguing bunch.

"It is a deal. But promise that you will be around to see my offspring as well." She answered without even a second thought as she sniffled hugging her tightly, careful of the sleeping child.

Raven rested her chin on the alien's shoulder. "I'll do everything I can."

Once her and Star parted, she looked to the rest of the team. "I will be in touch; you will always be able to call me. I will still be a part of this team. But for your safety, I'll leave. This isn't something I want to do. But it's what's best for you and them. You have told me time and time again that you will stand beside me. I appreciate that. But as your friend, I'm supposed to protect you from the dangerous magic of this world and others."

"You even sound like a mom," Terra commented before sighing. "But I understand. You take care of your little ones. We'll hold the fort here."

"Yeah Rae, we get it. You got kids to think about now. We got you and them." Beast Boy nodded jumping off the couch to stand beside Terra.

"Yeah Rae. I can't believe you're leaving us but I get it. That dude is a real danger to your tribe. Imma miss you though." Cyborg sighed smiling softly.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Robin asked walking up to touch her shoulder.

"Hey guys, why don't you say bye to your uncles and aunts okay? I'm going to talk to your uncle Robin." Raven suggested.

The kids bounded off to the other titans excitedly. Even Cyan had allowed Starfire to actually touch him. She of course burst out in more tears at finally being allowed to touch him. Cyan allowed himself to be loved by her and it was an interesting sensation the alien princess sent him but not one he disliked in the least. Beast Boy took up Teether and hugged him tightly. Timmy stared at Terra before begrudgingly opening his arms. If they weren't Raven, he didn't want to hug another woman. Melvin took to Cyborg with ease. All the titans showed the kids love, even Bobby who made himself known just to say goodbye. They promised the kids that they would see them again and that gifts were still going to be given for the holidays and birthdays, though they hoped this whole event wasn't going to take up much time.

Robin and Raven had made it up the stairs. "What is it Robin?" she asked as soon as they were on the roof.

He stood there for a moment just looking at her. "You know my proposal still stands."

Raven sighed allowing her eyes to look up at the darkening sky. "Robin, we talked about this."

"No, we didn't. Why are you going with Slade?"

"I never said we were going with Slade." She raised a brow in wonderment.

"It's not a hard thing to guess. He has been hanging around here for a while for you. You know the horrible things he's done to you and to us. How can you go with him with ease?"

"You sound like a jealous boyfriend." She sighed.

"I am."

Raven rolled her eyes. "He's the only person who can help me with Malchior and keeping the kids safe. You are not equipped to handle the dark arts." She explained annoyed by having to give an explanation.

"But I can learn. You never taught us how to combat the dark arts." Robin hissed.

"There was no point. If I was there, it would be me fighting it."

"Come on Raven, don't go with him. Stay here and we'll do our best to keep you guys safe."

Raven turned to walk away before she paused. "My kids need this. Let this desire for there to be an us go."

Robin grabbed her arm. "I can't. Don't tell me that after all this time, I meant nothing to you Raven."

Just as she was about to answer there was a whirl of wind in the air.

"Perhaps if you see what's inside her head, you'll think differently."

Both looked up to see Slade standing on some kind of flying craft. As usual, his hands were behind his back before he jumped down to land beside the pair. The craft continued to float above them all causing the air to rush around them.

"Slade," Robin hissed.

"Boy wonder," he greeted.

"Where are you taking her and those kids?"

Slade cocked his head. "Why wonder boy it is supposed to be a secret. I am not at liberty to tell you so,"

Robin threw a punch.

With ease Slade back stepped and dodged.

This continued on for a minute or so before Raven wrapped Robin and Slade in some magic.

"Enough, Robin. We are going and I will not hear another word about it." Raven hissed, eyes glowing.

She released them before summoning all the boxes from her room. Slade spoke deathly quiet in her ear where it would be going. She allowed it all to be teleported there with ease. Her hands brought the other titans and her children up to the roof. They stood there confused as they placed the kids down. Slade slowly helped the children board the craft. Cyan had floated to Slade's arms as he waited on his mother. She turned to her friends and smiled.

"This isn't goodbye." She nodded.

"We're standing with you Raven." Cyborg nodded.

"Slade, take good care of our precious friend." Star warned lighting a star bolt in her hand.

"And those kids." Beast Boy growled turning into a T-Rex.

Slade bowed his head neck high. "Of course."

"Come back to us alive." Robin nodded while crossing his arms.

Raven nodded floating up onto the craft, Slade following her with ease.

Her kids waved as the air chamber locked for them to go.

Beast boy roared loudly as the craft jetted off into the air.

Malchior frowned. Where had his son gone? He couldn't feel him anymore. That damned girl! What had she done?! He tried to tap into the line he had with his son but there was nothing. It was in the dark. Cursing loudly, he threw his papers onto the desk in annoyance. Once he found where his son was, there was going to be hell to pay for both of them.

They arrived at the house that was blocked with magic. It literally took the use of Slade and Raven pushing the barrier for them to be able to enter. The craft landed just outside the house. Everyone hopped out of it to run to the house. Slade led the pack into the house where the kids sprinted into the nice looking home. It was a nice home about three stories or so with a big enough back yard. Raven followed in last and was taken aback by how much bigger the home was on the inside. She walked into the kitchen where her eyes noticed the kids' toys back there. A small smile slid across her face as she followed the pack up the stairs. He was still going to let them be kids.

Each had their own room.

Melvin's room was filled with her things and things she liked. There were toys that she had been deprived of as a young kid. Monks didn't have dolls or toys that the kids of the normal world had. Her smile stayed on her face she watched Melvin play with the dolls and toys she had never seen before. The amazement that one could dress up the dolls as anything shined brightly on Melvin's face as she pulled out all of the outfits waiting to be used. Her closet was filled with many capes of different colors should she ever want to change from the pink one to something more fitting for her mood. There were a few dresses as well that allowed her to also play dress up should she want to.

"Do you like your room, Melvin?" Slade asked appearing beside Raven.

"I love it!" she shouted jumping on her bed, her hands clutching her dolls close to her chest. "I've never had my own room."

"Well it was a pleasure in having it designed for you."

"Raven, come see my room!" Timmy called down the hall.

"Don't get too carried away, Melvin." Raven spoke up.

"Okay," Melvin called jumping off the bed to go play with the doll house.

Raven walked away from the room only to stop at the room next door. Her eyes were filled with sports figures and pictures of herself from their first encounter. Her brow rose at that weird detail but she chose to ignore it as Timmy showed her all the cool new things that Slade had bought him. Bats and balls that were reinforced for his speed and strength were perfectly lined up on the wall. There were a few autographed things from famous sports stars that Slade knew. Sometimes being a criminal came with perks.

"Raven, look!" Timmy called holding up toy guns and action figures.

"Yes, I see someone went all out for the boy toys."

Slade shrugged. "A growing boy should be allowed to play with guns but also know that with guns comes a responsibility."

Raven rolled her eyes. "I'll leave that lesson to you oh wise man."

Slade chuckled. "He will not be one of those guys. There will be a balance for his sake."

She nodded. "That's all I could ask."

"Raven, come see me and Bobby's room!" Teether called.

The pair walked to the next room. Raven looked at the room filled with soft blue walls and clouds all over it. She sighed as Teether and Bobby were both sitting in front of a small TV were they watched cartoons in peace. There weren't a lot of things as Teether was content to just be around Bobby. There was a table for the both of them to color and draw at. It was filled with paints, markers, crayons, and colored pencils. The things he did have were delicate. Teether had always treasured the finer things. By his bed sat a picture of him and all his siblings along with the monks. And on the other side the five of them on their first encounter as well. Where had he gotten those pictures? Honestly, she didn't want to know.

"Do you like your room, Teether?" Slade asked.

"I do. I'm very comfortable." He nodded, his body reclining more into the bean bag chair in front of the TV had.

Slade chuckled. "I'm glad to hear it. How about you, Bobby?"

Bobby nodded before turning back to the TV.

"So where's my room?" Raven asked softly.

"Follow me."

Slade led her up a set of stairs where there was but one door. Opening the door, the darkness of the room swallowed them both before their eyes adjusted. All of Raven's things had been arranged into the way she had liked it with precision. A small crib sat in the corner next to a rocking chair. The room had one huge window that allowed sunlight should she want that. But unscented candles were glowing now. Raven sat on the bed and took a deep breath. This was foreign to her but it felt like home. Her kids were happy with this arrangement and that made it easier on her since she couldn't do anything but this for now to protect them. Looking up at the man looking down at her, she nodded her approval.

"Thank you for making room for us on such short notice."

"Of course," Slade nodded walking over and placing the sleeping half dragon in his crib. "If you need anything just call." Then he was gone, closing the door with him.

Raven assumed her meditative state. Her mantra slipped past her lips with ease before she entered the realm of which her father sat. He was staring at some documents intently before he looked up to see her there.

"Raven," he called acknowledging her presence. He noted her change but didn't comment on it.

"Dad," she responded.

"How is Slade treating you and my grandchildren?"

Raven shrugged. "Normal, I guess."

"You moved in with him right?"

"Who told you?"

"That's the only logical response to someone trying to kill you." Trigon shrugged flipping the documents.

"Yes all of us did."

"Good. I think a man around will be good for those kids."

Raven rolled her eyes. "What are you looking for?" she asked changing the subject.

"There is a spell or something that can banish the dragon forever."

She stared at him. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to take him out."

"Raven, I want you to keep an open mind."

"About what?"

"Slade," Trigon looked up at his daughter from his papers. "Let him be apart. No hesitations. This is bigger than all of us."

She nodded. "I understand."