A/N: Point of view gets a bit confusing when Raven relives mental conversations between a personality fragment being reabsorbed, other fragments and Raven herself. The convention used is the inner thoughts of the point-of-view character of the moment, whether a personality fragment or Raven, appear in italics. Thoughts from outside the point-of-view character appear in {italics}.
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Cyborg altered his course from the front of the cinema to a nearby island in the parking lot.
"You pulled me away from Dr. Light. You broke the contact." It was not a question.
Cyborg said nothing.
"That was dangerous."
He stiffened, but kept walking.
"Thank you", she whispered.
"If you don't scare me like that, I won't to do it again."
"Fair enough."
The island was a tiny mound of bark dust and flowers—a monument to nature in a sea of asphalt.
It would do.
Insecurity landed in Raven's lap before Cyborg set her on the curb.
{You were healing Dr. Light and then you couldn't stop and you couldn't get out and I was so scared …}
"Shhhhh."
The soulbird made choking, sobbing noises. {Take me back I want to go back please take me back! I Submit!}
Hush. I accept you.
The power hit her like a wall. Raven gasped in surprise at the force…
---
She had been told to go and help, but she didn't know how. She landed on the roof of the theatre and looked around. Dr. Light already hated her—if she tried to stop him, he would try to hurt her again. She could try to help stop Hate, but others were doing that; she'd only get in the way. Below, people were running in confusion. She was afraid they would mistake what she was doing—like Starfire had.
Truly, she wanted to help.
She just didn't know how she could.
A youngster's wail startled her so badly, she nearly jumped off the edge. She saw that a mother and child had taken refuge behind a wall. She also saw a fuzzy Mumbo Jumbo Bunny lying next to the overturned stroller back on the sidewalk.
I know what it's like to be without a security blanket…
She flew down to the stroller.
The bunny was stuffed, but it as big as she was. She grabbed an ear with her talons and heaved skyward.
The bunny scooted an inch or so along the ground.
She nearly fell on her beak.
Over and over she grabbed the bunny and flapped towards the wall, but she wasn't getting very far.
She was taking a moment to catch her breath, when the other with orange eyes landed next to her.
{Oh, Honestly…}
The other grabbed the head. She grabbed a leg. Flying together, one behind the other, they were able to get behind the wall.
Without warning, the other let go. She pumped furiously to maintain altitude, but it was no use.
She and the bunny fell in a heap at the woman's feet. She dislodged herself quickly and scuttled out of range.
Wails turned to squeals.
"Bunny!"
The child hugged the toy and laughed. The mother looked at her in surprised confusion.
She thinks I'm a dangerous animal…
"Birdy!"
The toddler was reaching for her with huge sticky fingers…
She flew off in terror.
---
"Uh, Raven? What just happened was a good thing-- right?"
Inside, she felt as if she'd just found her way home after being lost.
She opened her eyes. Cyborg was nearby, but he wasn't hovering.
Things are improving.
"Yes Cyborg, that was a 'good thing'."
{You need me as well.} Love regarded her from the curb.
Are you sure?
"Cyborg! Raven!" Robin was running up with Beast Boy at his heels.
{Your friends are here to help you. But they can't help as I can.}
You may never get this chance again, you know.
Love hopped onto Raven's outstretched hands.
{I know.} She turned to regard the three most important young men in Raven's life. {And I had looked forward to meeting everyone personally, too. But…}
The soulbird turned back and looked Raven in the eyes. {My time will come. I am ready.}
{I surrender myself to you.}
I accept you.
---
She was free!
She had learned to levitate almost as soon as she had learned to walk; flight was second nature to her. Tonight she was using wings instead of power to propel herself through the air, but it wasn't a bad thing.
She felt in tune with the wind, like a lover.
For a while, she gave herself over to the simple rhythm of the wingbeat. Then she soared high and powerdived, knowing the night would cover her excesses. No one could see her in the dark; she could be uninhibited.
How intoxicating freedom was!
She flew a loop-de-loop around Starfire, who giggled at her antics.
She'd made her friend laugh. It felt good.
"You are certainly a fine flier, Little Bird of Raven's!"
The title hurt, and it brought her back to the task of looking for Hate with Starfire.
She had hoped against hope that Raven would introduce her.
But She can barely admit to feeling friendship… how could she admit to more than that?
She understood the reason, too.
There's too great a risk that if I ever truly gave my heart to someone and was rejected…it would be the end.
It would lead to madness.
Someday that would change.
Someday, she would discover someone to love and be loved.
Then she would be free.
Until then, she would be patient.
She had hope and all the time in the world.
It'll be worth the wait.
In the meantime, Hate was somewhere nearby; and the night sky beckoned.
---
Raven's spirit soared; she felt light.
I'm sorry that I had to take your freedom, but you were right: I did need you.
She opened her eyes.
Cyborg's hand rested on Beast Boy's shoulder and he was partially blocking Robin's path.
"You can relax", she said as she stood.
Cyborg shook his head in wonder and let go of Beast Boy, who was speechless.
Robin recovered first. "Did you do that--?"
"With Intellect?" She nodded. "She couldn't 'live' independent of me, so I reabsorbed her and the power."
"You mean you could do that all along?" Beast Boy stammered.
"Yes." She shrugged. "It wasn't necessary before."
"The gold-plated question is: can you do that to the Angry One?" Cyborg asked.
"I could if she'd submit--"
"Like that's gonna happen", Beast Boy muttered.
"—But there is another way", she finished.
"Is there anything can we do to help?" Robin asked.
Raven nodded. "If you can catch her, I can do the rest."
Cyborg held up his sonic blaster. "No holds barred?"
{Um…} Humor circled once then flew back to the cinema. {Before you answer that, we've got a teeny weeny problem…}