Disclaimer: I own the tape that I recorded TT on, that is all. Sadly I do not own them…

Answers in Smoke

Raven's p.o.v

I pulled my cape closer as the wind whipped at me. Robin was still dragging me so sturdily by my wrist. His grasp was firm enough on my wrist to make me think twice about escaping.

I could feel anger pulsing from him. It wasn't hard to figure, powers or no powers, when Robin was angry. He hadn't looked at me since he began dragging me. It bothered me a little; I felt I needed to see his face.

Either way this was going to be awkward enough for the both of us. He wanted what neither of us could have. He wanted to re-write, redress everything that was sane. He wanted the demon; he wanted the sin in flesh form.

But the more essential question was what did I want?

Finally we stopped. Or he stopped dragging me. We were on the outer skirts of the city. Dark buildings acted as a shelter around us. Shadows grew up the walls near us; I gave them a wishful glance.

Robin still had his back to me. Impossible the boy was. I tucked a swaying piece of hair behind my ear. I watched his back. The moonlight just barely flitted over the structures painting random things silver. Robin was bathed in black right now.

It fit him more than his colorful costume; he should consider an outfit change.

"Robin," My voice was a calm demand. This was ridiculous; he really needed to look at me.

The shadow moved, silver lights played the area between us. It game a ghostly glow to the two of us. Robin turned around and looked directly at me. I damned the mask he wore.

Still his features were set in a determination. A strange combination of something. It triggered my minds curiosity. I began getting questions batted at me by Knowledge.

"I know what you're going to say Raven, and I don't want to hear it." There was a cold shudder in his speaking. I rubbed my arm a little as if I had been touched by ice. I didn't like this attitude already.

"You don't want to hear what's the truth." I stated simply. Robin was sharp on the uptake and processing, unlucky for me.

"And what's the truth Raven? Where's the line? There isn't black and white anymore. This is all gray." That mask held a fury back, I knew it. I still wished it would slip off, if only for my dammed chip…

I thought only a second longer than I usually would. A side of myself agreed with him, and that made a comeback even harder.

"You know-" I started but was sharply cut off.

"No, the only thing I do know is that I care about you and I think you do as well."

"That's not-" I cut myself off. This was where I was supposed to shoot him down. I only had to say: That's not true.

My lips would not make the rest of the sentence. Again words and thoughts and questions were chucked at me. Robin was staring intently on me. I was taking too long. Why was this so hard?

I didn't need emotions. I didn't need Robin. I didn't need anyone-I was independent.

So why couldn't I say it?

I brought my eyes to meet his. Even through all the caring for his injury I hadn't seen those eyes. All I had gotten was too much time spent in his company. The more he talked, and the more contact he had with me, the more trouble he was.

"You're insufferable." I glared.

This however didn't get intended results. Robin smiled. That egotistical, male dominating, leer of his. He stepped closer.

This was not going well.

"Robin," I warned stepping back. He stepped closer. The silver was gone making the shadows larger. I stepped back into the shadows, he only followed. It was only now I noticed the wall in closing distance of me. How the hell I always ended up cornered was beyond me.

My heart drumming noisily in my ears. This was stupid, and senseless, and-

Robin's lips were pressed against mine. Initial shock froze my body and mind. I could feel my powers pressing out, stretching and growing. Gentle pressure made me step back the last distance. My back met the cold brick wall.

Robin had both hands on both sides of me propping himself just a centimeter or two from me. It was also effectively blocking escape.

"Can you rightfully say you didn't enjoy that?" Robin purred a slight smile on his lips.

I shifted my view from his lips to right over his shoulder. I needed to pull myself together. Letting Robin kiss me was not Raven-like. I could already feel heat on my face, not helping my case or cause.

"Robin, you and I could never be. As soon as this chip is taken off I'm back to solitude and meditation, you're back to Starfire."

"I don't want Starfire," His voice was small. I dragged my eyes back to his.

"But what, you want the demon?" I narrowed my eyes feeling a spite of anger. Black mist was all over the area.

"No, I want Raven." Robin breathed.

"Don't you get it? I am cursed, everything, all of this, I'm not allowed to have it. I'm not allowed to have you, to have love. I'm not allowed to love you."

I snapped my mouth shut aghast. Why had I said that? Had I no self-control? My black tendrils were still swirling around us. Silver hinted behind the clouds dotting the area.

"Why don't you want to try?" Robins voice was almost a whisper. A warm breath on my naked features, I should have kept my hood up.

I thought a moment. I knew why. I needed to say it.

Before I could form the words my mind snapped back into leadership. It growled at me. I was being weak. What was this all? Just because I couldn't get away. It asked me if I really wanted to.

I didn't have an answer.

More telekinetic power tore out. As black smoke paraded about, I was getting interrogated internally. I had to choose, I needed to make a choice.

"Raven?" Robin shook my concentration from my own thoughts. He was looking at me strangely.

"I…"

I broke his gaze and looked down a little. His clothes still looked all black. The air seemed to still. Everything stopped, too silent to be real. I looked up quickly.

Robin seemed to notice the change as well. Something snapped near us. We jumped from our positions, conversation forgotten. Carefully we stepped through the silvery light heading for the shadow a few feet away. That's where the noise had come from. I swiftly pulled up and secured my hood.

Then there was another snap. Like a twig almost. I whirled around; it had come from behind us this time.

I had already wiped away any previous thoughts or emotions.

Robin and I stood together facing opposites where our backs touched lightly. We moved a little in a circle watching the shadows grow and shrink. The silver moonlight still played at our feet.

It was soundless, even Robin and my boots were soundless.

In a moment everything sprang to life. Something like a boom-a-rang flitted out of the darkness. I only realized at the last moment it was headed for Robin. I turned around to see it hit him. On impact is made a small explosion and rope expanded.

A kind of netting surrounded Robin; the momentum made him trip and fall on the dirty concrete. The only sound was an 'oomph' when he fell.

I spun on my heels to face the darkness.

"Slade," I called to it. There was only one person who was that quiet.

"Having a little internal battle my pet?" The sinister man stepped into view. The gold on his mask reflected the silver light, like evil repelling good.

I glared and clenched my fists. I could hear a growl from a disgruntled Robin behind me.

"What do you need?" I hissed watching Slade carefully.

"Nothing, simply checking up on you." Slade stepped closer. I held my ground. "Ready to give in yet?"

"No," I made my voice as empty and cold as possible. The man never shivered like a normal human would. My tendrils were already pulsing about, a frenzy to do him damage.

Slade let a small-amused smile enter his eyes. "Well then I guess I'll let you two get back to you're talk, very interesting by the way…"

When he finished smog came over the air. I had rushed forward to do him some harm, no good. He had vanished once again, leaving an air of anger and silence behind him.

I could feel my nails biting with red teeth into my palm. Chanting by habit I made myself pull back up my façade. I needed to stay calm, powers or no powers.

"Raven," My eyes snapped open, I had momentarily forgotten Robin. I put my back to him, I was close to being grateful for Slade's appearance. I had been slipping over words. I had been slipping.

"No Robin, whether you get it or not-" I stepped away. I heard the clean cut of the rope. No doubt in a swift motion Robin had freed himself.

There was a strong sigh from behind me. I felt the pressure of a gloved hand on my shoulder. I squeezed my eyes shut a moment. When I opened them glowing white masked ones were looking into mine.

I scowled and stepped back. Before I did Robin grabbed my wrists. I felt a warp of black magic float about. Where our skin touched was painfully noticeable. His kiss was still a memory on my lips.

"No I can't kiss you, I can't like it…" I was looking down now. Robin's gloved hands were still securely holding mine. A quick glimmer of silver light before the dark spread across the concrete again.

"Do you remember that night we watched Beast Boys movie? And you were afraid and wouldn't admit it?"

I drew my eyes to his shadowed ones. I felt my heart thundering loudly, the extra blood was probably in my cheeks.

"It is not wise to be discussing such, Slade could easily be overhearing." I added not quite answering his question; I saw where this conversation was going.

"Do you sense him?" It was a bored tone. I didn't answer, I was still working a way to get my wrists free.

"Well then he's not here," Robin continued as if I had spoken. "Raven you know not to deny your feelings, in the end you have to accept them."

"I'm not denying any feelings!" I hissed giving him a glare.

A giant pulse of inky mist chose this time to make its appearance. It seemed to burst from my fingertips slipping sleepily into the air.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. Robin let out a hearty laugh. I watched his mask he was really enjoying this.

"You need to accept," I felt a whoosh of wind. Robin had used my wrists to pull me briskly to him. Against my will and better judgment (not to mention Anger's cursing) my eyes fell shut as Robin's lips touched mine.

For the second time in one evening.

It felt like poison. Each time it was a different kind. This was more burning and untamed. I felt a small burst of magic from my encased hands, nothing to worry about for now.

I could only imagine what would be happening without the chip, Anger was enjoying this mirage in my head.

When my sanity slipped back in I opened my eyes.

He was gone, my skin looking untouched and me confused. The silver moonlight spread over the pavement and me. Sure enough I was alone. Not a bird to be found. My mind was recoiling and replaying three lines to me. Over and over,

How dare him kiss me against my will…

How dare him accuse me of liking it…

How dare I secretly like it…

A part of me wanted all of this. It was the kind of indulgence I never had as a child, someone who cared.

Yet as soon as the chip was gone so was any chance. Why waste time on this senseless emotion?

I wrapped my cape around myself because the wind had picked up. My hood was replaced shielding my face from any ones view. In a brisk movement I began the walk back to the club. Even if Robin weren't there at least Cyborg would give me a ride home.

The silent way back gave me more time to think than I liked. It was all so confusing. I would need meditating and a box of tea back at the tower.

I gave a dark look to the bouncer as he let me back in. Under my hood he could see no such thing. I spotted the taller boy a few seconds into the bobbing mosh. I shoved a few people carelessly out of the way closing in on Cyborg.

He saw me at the last second and leaned down.

"Yea?" He had to yell over the music and the encrowding people.

"Take me home," My demand was a simple monotone, loud enough to make it a strong command as well.

Cyborg gave me a puzzled look before looking back over his shoulder. Beast Boy was a little off trying to chat up some females. By their faces it wasn't going well. Cyborg mouthed something to the green changeling and he nodded. An unsaid conversation.

I made a note to learn something of the same someday.

"Alright let's go," Cyborg shouted again. I turned around to lead the way.

I let a sly smile that no one could see onto my lips. The people had left a clear path to the exit. Powers or no powers I still got the respect I demanded, it was amusing.

Defiantly a little changes in Raven. Heh I was grounded (again) and then schedule is crazy so it took me forever to get time to error check this piece. Hehe but for all my wonderful readers/reviews Robin plushies for all! Keep the reviews coming, critiques welcome!

-Dragonslayer527