Birdcage

Chapter fifteen

Robin ran as fast as his feet would carry him, cutting corners tightly and doing anything possible to put some distance between himself and the army of guards following him. He wasn't sure how many were behind him but wasn't about to stop to count. Ducking around another corner, he noticed a door and reached for the handle, expecting it to be locked. As the handle turned, a wave of relief came over him as he quickly got inside the room and shut the door before anyone saw him. He could hear the thundering of metal footsteps rushing by outside.

Taking a minute he attempted to get his breathing under control. This place was starting to make him feel like he was out of shape. He suddenly realized he hadn't noticed many doors in this place. Turning around he blinked several times, taking in the room he had just walked into. It was much larger than he expected and it's content surprised him.

It was a Titan fan's dream!

From ceiling to floor the walls were covered by newspaper clippings of cases he and the team had solved over the years. Merchandise like stuffed animals and toys filled the corners and displayed neatly on shelves. Each wall had multiple TVs showing moments that no one had recorded but he remembered. Some were times where they were all just hanging out at the Tower while others were times they were out in town spending time together.

Raven had never really said much about the 'villain' collection in the tower. This room full of happy moments from their past said she loved being with all of them. He noticed the largest screen in the room was playing memories that had happened between the two of them. Scenes long passed but felt as though they had happened just yesterday.

It all made his heart ache. He had considered leaving, without saying a word. This room made it clear that their time together was important to her, more than he had even realized. His thoughts were interrupted by horrible organ music. He moved back over to the door and peered out to see if it was safe to leave the room. Seeing that the coast was clear, he moved from the room and went in the direction of the music. He reached another corner and paused, making sure there weren't any guards this time.

"What are you doing," he heard Jinx ask from behind. He let out an exasperated huff and turned back to her.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people," He told her. She couldn't help but grin at this accomplishment. It wasn't every day you caught Robin of all people off guard.

"Not sure if you're interested but I already took care of the help." He blinked at her now concerned by what she meant by that.

"Um, okay. You didn't,"

"They're not even real people," she explained abruptly, knowing where he was going, "and even if they were real, I wouldn't kill anyone."

"Are you sure you got all of them," he glanced around the corner again to double check.

"Yeah, I mean it was definitely a lot," she itched her nose before walking in the direction he was looking, "so we're checking out that crappy music now, right?" He moved in step behind her quickly. "Ugh, why does it sound like wedding music?" Robin made a face when she said that as the realization hit him.

It was wedding music. As they got closer to the source the more his stomach twisted in knots. Turning another corner there was a pair of double doors at the other end of the hallway. Letting out an annoyed sigh, he realized how this felt oddly familiar.

"You've gotta be kidding," he grumbled to himself as he moved swiftly forward and pushed the doors open. Sure enough the interior of the room resembled that of a church. Raven was standing at the front with the man from her nightmare. It was just the two of them which made him wonder if they were too late. The tall man turned to the two of them flashing a bright grin.

"Ah, are you here as witnesses?"

"More like crashers," Jinx replied, smirking back as she placed her hand on her hip.

"Oh I don't think so," came the quick response. Robin was fed up with the back and forth and walked towards the two of them with purpose.

"Raven," he started but she didn't look up. "What are you doing? This isn't what you want." She finally looked in his direction.

"How would you know what I want?"

"Because I saw the room. I know it was wrong to leave you behind, we shouldn't have done that," he admitted. She just shook her head refusing to look in his direction.

"Isn't this all a little late? She chose to be here, that's all that matters now," the groom stated, taking a step towards Robin. He turned his attention to him and glared back.

"Shouldn't you be on fire or something," he gestured to the room around them. Raven moved over to the two of them before things turned violent.

"I left because I didn't want you to get hurt. This is my problem that I need to deal with. I already told you that."

"Dealing with it how? By being trapped here for the rest of your life with him," Robin gestured to the taller man, "And you don't have to worry about me. I'm not intimidated."

"You should be," the nightmare commented. Robin absentmindedly pulled out his staff and popped him in the face before turning to glare at him.

"This is a private conversation," he added, taking a minute to appreciate the damage he had inflicted. The taller man angrily stared him down as he held his bleeding nose. Robin turned back to Raven. "Please, come home with me. I can't leave you in this place."

"Why, she created it, after all," came another snide comment. Jinx had had about enough from this new stranger and made her way towards him.

"Alright pretty boy, if you think you're so strong why not try your chances against me," she cracked her knuckles as she got closer to him. He eyed her in a way that showed he was clearly unimpressed.

"Sorry, who are you?" She brought her hands out to her side, palms forward. Pink electricity shot from her fingertips and she grinned maniacally at him.

"I'm the back up," she explained.