Richard replayed the security tapes over and over again. "Maybe there's nothing to be concern yourself with, Master Dick," Alfred said as he watched the young man.

"Alfred," Richard said as he watched recordings of nothing happening outside his bedroom, "you've been Batman's man in the chair for how many years now? Where is this laissez-faire attitude coming from? Do you know something I don't?" Richard turned in his chair and peered at the butler curiously.

"I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about," Alfred faced the giant computer. "All I know is that you have a guest upstairs by herself, in the library. And she's been up there by herself for the last four hours." Richard's face paled. He looked at the origami colly. Dammit, he was doing it again, obsessing on something for hours and hours. "Crap," Richard slammed his hand on the counter. "Has it really been four hours since I started?"

"Yes," Alfred said. Richard jumped from the chair. "You looked at every security tape in every place that a gift showed up."

"What?" Richard gasped. He immediately remembered how he was with Slade. His teammates couldn't get him to leave his room for days. Thirty minutes in his room was usually 3 hours in reality. "I'm doing it again," Richard said. "But someone is leaving me these…things. They could be a villain!"

"Master Richard, I'd be remiss if I pretended to understand what goes on in your world. But I do know; you'll need a fresh pair of eyes to find whatever it is you are looking for. Also, there is a girl you have a crush on upstai-" Richard had already left the cave. Alfred only shrugged as he stared at the video replaying on the screen, immediately seeing what Richard was missing. He shook his head. Sometimes these batboys could be so stupid.

She was worried. They told her he wouldn't take it personally if she entered her mind just a little, but now he was reverting to his old Robin ways, it seemed. He wasn't…engaging emotionally with her the way he should be for someone who had a crush. What was wrong with these batboys?

Richard found Raven sitting comfortably in a beanbag chair, hidden away in the library's back corner. "What are you reading?" he asked with a smile, leaning against a bookshelf, with his arms crossed.

"I found a Leo Tolstoy written in its original language," Raven smiled. "How was your research? Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I found," Richard casually walked over to her with his hands in his pocket, "that I've been a horrible host so far."

"You…a creepy someone is sending you gifts. I understand," Raven smiled as she stood to her feet and then shyly placed a long strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well," Richard looked at the expensive watch adorning his wrist. "Why don't I make it up to you?"

"How?" Raven asked with a small smile.

"Dinner at a semi-fancy restaurant; ice skating later. Tomorrow night, the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree in Gotham Square. Gotham City Library."

"Is Gotham City Library bigger than this library?" Raven's eyes widened in wonder.

"Yes," Richard laughed. "It puts this library to shame."

"Can we go there now?" Raven grasped Richard's arms with all the wonder of a child.

"Unfortunately, it closes in an hour. But, we can do dinner and ice skating," he said.

"Let me change," Raven looked down at herself.

"You look fine," Richard smiled gently, "but go ahead. I'm going to call ahead and get us a private table."

"Okay," Raven said, putting her book back with her powers before disappearing into a dark portal. Richard smiled as he made his way to the exit. Maybe Alfred was right. Perhaps he was looking…who was he kidding? As soon as he returned from his date with Raven, he was gonna resume looking for his secret lover. Richard froze. He had a date with Raven. He couldn't help but smile. He also needed to tell Alfred not to expect them for dinner. He had a date with Raven.

"I don't know about this," Raven looked down at the skates. She looked up at Richard before looking at the rink. There were so many people out. "Are you getting overwhelmed?" Richard asked with genuine concern as he sat next to her.

"No, I'm fine," she reassured him. "It's just…these blades look sharp enough to kill someone. Are you sure I won't get impaled if I fall?"

"There is no possible way for you to fall and impale yourself with your own skate," Richard laughed. He stood and held his hand out. "Come on," he smiled. "I won't let you fall."

"That's sweet," Raven gripped his hand in hers, "but I'm pretty sure I'm the one who's going to stop you from falling."

"Yeah…okay," he said as he led them to the rink. "I can't believe you've never done this before," Richard said as he showed her how to glide on the ice.

"This is my first time celebrating Christmas," Raven said, gripping Richard's harder as she wobbled. "I've never really been into it."

"I know," Richard said as they began slowly, "but what changed? Besides the whole Trigon thing." Raven watched as two little girls performed expert-like tricks on the ice before returning to their parents. Her gaze then turned to other families and lovers on the ice. Raven's family origin was no laughing matter, and she usually didn't dwell on it. But, every once in a while, a little wishful thinking would creep in, and she'd wish her life was different. Richard followed her gaze. He knew what it was like to wish for a family. He was lucky enough to get fostered by a billionaire. Richard had been in the foster system for less than a week when Bruce came along. Raven had no one. "No," she looked up at him, "I have you." Her face then reddened as she covered her mouth with her free hand. "I am so sorry," she said. "I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," Richard touched her face gently, "you're the only one I'd ever trust to enter my mind. Also, we have a bond…though, I haven't made much use of it lately," he shrugged. "Now, you think you can make it around the rink without holding my hand?"

"You better not let go," Raven mildly threatened with a laugh. "I'm serious, Dick, don't you dare!" she screamed as Richard took off with a laugh. "I'm going to hurt him," Raven said as she began a slow glide on the ice. This was so embarrassing.

Richard entered his room with a massive smile on his face. He had so much fun with Raven. They had skated until the rink closed – midnight. Richard chuckled to himself. Raven couldn't skate to save her life. It was cute watching her try. She was so bashful, and her cheeks would get this soft, rosy color to them. He was so happy to – what was that? Richard's train of thought took an abrupt 180°. On the middle of his bed sat a black origami bird. "What the fu-"