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Mind Games

Jacob and Maria dutifully helped Tear back to the sickbay. Occasionally Tear would mutter darkly under his breath and dig the knife a hard twist. Another few well-chosen words of Demonic would follow and each time that happened Maria would give Raven a gorgon-like (Gorgons explained in A/N.) look. Each time Maria gave her death glare Raven would shrink a few steps back.

Getting Tear to lie down again without causing him pain was a major challenge. Upon entering the sickbay it became clear that Tear had rolled off of his bed to get out of it; the light red impression on the floor bearing witness to the act.

It turned out that making Tear lean over put a lot of stress on his batter body and Raven stayed outside so that Tear had one less person to act macho in front of. Jacob's disapproving look and Maria's ice-cold stare had also helped Raven make that decision.

From outside Raven could hear Tear's sharp breathing as Maria and Jacob attempted to coax Tear into the bed once again. In the end there was some Demonic exchanged between all three of them and then silence.

About that time Cyborg came around the corner, arms filled with bottles of liquor of every conceivable, so overloaded that he nearly crashed into his smaller teammate.

"You have trouble picking out which one to buy?" Raven asked her mechanically inclined friend.

Cyborg nearly dropped what he was carrying and shifted around so that he could look Raven in the face.

"Did you just make a joke?" Cyborg asked in disbelief.

Raven blushed ever so slightly because of the intense way Cyborg was looking at her.

"And are you blushing?!" Cyborg asked with his eye noticeably wider then normal.

"Perhaps." Was Raven's reply to both accusations as she hid her face with her hood.

Cyborg chuckled. "Well it was a good one." he replied in response to her spontaneous attempt at humor. "And my what a pretty blushing gal we have here." Cyborg said giving his best western impression knowing full well that it would make Raven's cheeks flare up even though he couldn't see it.

A moment of silence pasted and nothing happened. Cyborg had been expecting something to explode and so had Raven. "Nothing blew up?" Raven asked. She, like the rest of them, was aware of that fact that things weren't blowing up of late. Her "training" and Tear's presence might have had something to do with it but no one talked about it.

"Nope." Cyborg replied.

"Oh." Was the simple response. Raven had blushed so badly that she was sure that something, if not a section of the building, would have ex or imploded. The silence that she was so used to suddenly became eerie.

A sudden grunt, the sound of moving and a heavy rapid breathing came from within the sickbay drawing both of the teen's attentions. Raven cast her eyes downwards knowing that Tear was in pain because of her.

Though the blue clad goth had her hood up Cyborg could tell from her head movement that she was once again feeling sorry for what she had done to Tear.

"Raven." Cyborg said gently. The younger girl didn't respond.

"Rae." Cyborg said touching her on the shoulder. This time Raven looked up at Cyborg. Two eyes, one red and one brown, were looking into her own purple ones. Though his robotic eye was devoid of emotions his human one wasn't and it showed concern for his teammate. Cyborg, having placed his potent purchases on the ground, gently placed his big hands on Raven's small shoulders forcing the girl to at least be facing him.

"Look Rae, you can't keep feeling guilty about this." Cyborg tilted his head towards the sickbay. "You didn't ask for any of this to happen and more then I did. However it happened. You just have to pick yourself up and move on." Cyborg told Raven. Raven started to reply but Cyborg cut her off. "You powers aren't an excuse this time Rae." Cyborg took a deep breath knowing what he was about to say would sting. "Look, Rae, you were frightened." Raven lowered her eyes again and Cyborg trudged on with his speech.

"You did what most people in their right minds would have done Rae. You were surrounded by a bunch of people who were…killing each other. It wasn't a pleasant site to see nor was it a pleasant thing to do. I'm glad you had the sense not to be reduced to the level the rest of us went down to." Cyborg had paused to remember the killing he had done and how he had disliked it. He knew what he was saying wasn't entirely true; they had been fighting for their lives and Raven's help had been sorely missed. Cyborg, however, was glad that Raven had been spared having blood on her petite hands.

"When people are frightened they jump or lash out to defend themselves. It's a reflex, there's nothing you could have done about it. If anything it's my fault that Tear is hurt."

Up until now Raven had been feeling worse and worse about the conversation. Cyborg was doing his best to console her but he was only making her feel bad but reminding her that she had frozen up during a fight that had threatened the Titan's existence and then she had nearly killed Tear, who had been very helpful and patient with her all this time. However the metal man's last line really got her attention.

"What?" Raven asked in disbelief, her voice, for once, convoying the emotion.

"I saw that you had wisely " Cyborg stressed the word, "gotten low and out of sight. After the fight I noticed that Star had carried her lover boy away and I was tending to the green bean. However I should have warned Tear or even gone over to snap you out of it myself." Cyborg explained.

Raven still didn't looked convinced. In fact she looked confused and in the past a confused Raven was not a happy Raven.

"With Robin whisked away I became in charge of the team. I already knew that Beast Boy was going to live so I should have checked on you instead of leaving it to Tear." Cyborg added hastily hoping that Raven would buy what he was saying.

The sickbay doors opened and both the teens turned to look inside. Tear was lying on his bed, covered with a blanket, with Maria at his side holding his hand. Jacob, upon seeing the pile of liquor, was busily moving it into the cabinets of the sickbay.

In passing the bigger teen Jacob said, "He would like to see you Cyborg."

Cyborg nodded his head on reply and gave Raven a quick hug. During the brief embrace Cyborg leaned down and whispered, "If you need me, I'll always be there for you." After saying that the hug was over and Cyborg was walking into the sickbay.

Raven just watched the sliding doors close behind the biggest members of the team. She was too stunned by what he had said and done to react. However this stunned state didn't last long as Maria mysteriously emerged from the sickbay leaving the men to speak in private. Raven sat down with her back against the wall and Maria followed suit. Neither girl said anything to the other.

Half an hour later Cyborg emerged from the sickbay with a vodka bottle in hand. He looked rather shocked as he came walking out but when he saw Raven his expression changed to one of disbelief. Cyborg then took a big swing from his bottle, something totally unexpected since he wasn't even a social drinker, and walked down the corridor without saying a word.

Jacob came out of the sickbay and motioned Raven to enter.

This section of the chapter is dedicated to Terra Basher; the most avid RobStar supporter I know.

After Cyborg had left the rest of the dinner party dispersed. Beast Boy moaned and groaned his way to his room, doing all he could to act like he was dying. Robin just ignored him since he was too tired to even yell at him to shut up. Starfire had gone very quiet though she still faithfully babied Robin to no end. The silence was welcomed, if not a little uncomfortable, as it gave Robin time to think.

Star helped Robin to their room and quietly offered to help him change. Robin assured Star that he had enough strength to do his evening routine without help and that ended that discussion.

It wasn't until Robin and Starfire were both in bed that Robin got fed up with Starfire's quiet behavior. Not only had she been uncharacteristically quiet but also she had laid down on the edge of the bed making a very large gap between herself and the Boy Wonder.

"Star?" Robin softly called out.

No response. Robin knew that Starfire wasn't asleep because they had only been laying there for a few mintues.

'Well if she isn't going to reply I'll make her.' Robin thought to himself. Slowly he scooted over to the edge of the bed and wrapped his arms around Starfire's midriff. She initially stiffened at his touch but she relaxed and lifted herself so that Robin would get one arm under her. Gently Robin rolled back towards the center of the bed and the two of them, Starfire' head resting on Robin's bare chest with her own arms on top of Robin's, just lay there in silence.

While thinking of how to phrase what he wanted to say Robin was unconsciously running a thumb up and down, gently stroking Starfire's lower abdomen just below the navel and just above her panty. Even though Robin's hands were separated from her own skin Starfire couldn't help her heart from pounding nor the heat building up between her legs. Robin would rarely venture so low on her body and it made Starfire blush a very deep red. Even though Robin couldn't see her blushing Star tilted her head forwards a little and that tipped Robin off that something was going on.

"What is it Star?"

This only provoked the Tamaranian girl to blush even more because she was too embarrassed, and didn't want it to stop, to say what Robin was doing. However the Boy Wonder was very quick to notice and he stopped much to Starfire's disappointment. Se let out a sigh and laid her head against Robin's chest once more.

Robin, having figured out that Star had been trying to hide her blushing because of his rogue thumb, removed his arms from Star's hold. Another small noise of disappointment followed only to be changed to a squeak of surprise. Robin had slipped his hand underneath Starfire's shirt and had begun to repeat what he had been doing earlier.

With his other hand Robin gently tilted Star's head so that she was looking at him and couldn't hide her deep red blush that decorated her cheeks. Robin leaned in and tenderly kissed Star on the lips. Starfire closed her eyes and moaned as she pressed her lips against Robin's.

When the kiss was over Starfire let out another sigh, this time of contentment.

"Why have you been quiet tonight, Star?" Robin asked resting his free hand on Star's midriff.

Star didn't reply.

"Is this about what Maria said earlier tonight?" Robin asked.

Silence was Starfire's answer.

"Star?"

Starfire shock slightly in Robin's arms and it didn't take him long to realize that she was crying.

"Star, what's the matter?" Robin asked trying to gently force Starfire to look at him. Starfire kept moving her head side to side refusing to let Robin see her cry.

"Star." Robin repeated as he tried to force her to look at him one more time. "Is this about what Maria said tonight? Look, Star it doesn't matter what she said."

"Yes it does." Star sobbed. "She was right. I held back and you got really hurt because of it." Starfire explained before redoubling her weeping.

"Star, look at me Star." Robin coaxed Starfire. Knowing he was weak already Starfire stopped fighting him and let him turn her head. Her eyes were wet and two small rivers ran down her cheeks. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and our last battle made me realize something." Robin paused to turn over to his side so that he and Star were spooning. Now he was the one that wanted to hide his face.

"We've been in a few serious fights before where some of us have been hurt but this last one made me finally see that we may not come back from the next fight, or the fight after that. But I do know that having you by my side in those fights… and after them." Robin softly told Starfire.

Starfire stiffened at Robin's words. He couldn't be saying what she thought he was saying, could he?

There was a moment of silence before Robin continued, his voice slightly shaken from his quaking nerves. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I live you Star and… and you would be my wife?"

Dead quiet fell on the room, Robin had been holding his breathe ever since his proposal and Starfire since before then. Slowly, very slowly Starfire turned around so that she was looking the Boy Wonder in his unmasked eyes. "Are you asking me to marry you?" Starfire asked to make sure she understood what Robin was saying.

"I know it's not a very safe profession or well paying and I can't offer muc" Robin spat out in one breath only to be stopped by Star's lips. The kiss deepened as Robin overcame his initial shock and kissed back. After what seemed to be an eternity Starfire very reluctantly broke the kiss to come up for air.

"Can I take that as a 'Yes'?" The Boy Wonder asked with a huge grin on his face.

"Yes, yes I'll marry you Robin." Starfire whispered in reply before leaning in for another passionate kiss.

A/N: First things first. A gorgon is a mythical Greek beast that is said to have a stare so dreadful that whomever it gazed upon was turned to stone. Medusa, slain by Percius, is the most known gorgon. Also forgive Robin (and me) for his rather lame marriage proposal. Cut him some slack, he's just 17 (and so am I). Well it's up to 121, and 21 is the number of this chapter. It's gain popularity I can see and I'm glad. It's nice to know that people actually reads this. Big thanks to all for reviewing and lets keep the trend up, ok?

The Next Political Dynasty: Never mind if you haven't seen it. Things you've never even seen, just heard about, can captivate you and I'll bare witness to that!

meditation6: I'm glad to hear that you are writing and it think you should post. It may take a while to move up the ranks but after you get a few fic under your name you will pick up a few fans. Post and see what happens but don't expect too much in way of reviews. My first fics (a 4 part series split into 5 fics) only netted 90 reviews.

Athena884: All will be revealed about Raven's powers. Most people have been nagging and complaining about that and I have explained it in the fic, very subtly, and soon I will have a blatant explanation that should pacify the mob. Well, perhaps you can't tip the scales the way it should be but could you at least do the world a favor? Should this go down to a long drawn out court battle could you provide some divine intervention? And if you can't do that then could you go to your father, Zeus, and ask him to zap the idiot that thought up the idea of an electoral college? Maybe if I gave you some wine and dead lamb…

Fuzzy: Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't Fuzzy, wuzzy? Thanks for the comment about the cuss scene. As you can see I don't use it much. Someone (a girl, naturally) once said that men cuss because they are too stupid to express themselves in another way. Very interesting thought though, isn't it? And no, I do not live in California, though I did once, a long time ago. I have the great joy and pleasure of not living in the United States of BOO! but enjoy residence in the 3rd world.

BlackShield: A wise man once said; "Technology is a great thing…when it works." Another wise man also said that plans change but you will get your talk between the Princess of the Hells and her guardian. Returns salute

Dr. Evans: Ah, the good doctor has graced us with his review once again. Your point at the summary has been noted and you should see the obvious changes.

Willow182: Yes painkillers and alcohol are a great mix. All you need is a few lawn chair and giant bug zapper and you have a party on your hands. By and by I did leave you a review on one of you fics. Thanks for reviewing.

Dark Shadow31: Your presence has been sorely missed. At least you've been able to read if not review. It is nice to get such praise from a long time fan and while writing this chapter I realized one thing. That is that you were a great fan of the Within in series in which Ashitaka was a Demon empowered. Here Tear is a full-blooded and Raven is a half-blooded Demon; we've come full circle now, haven't we?

Terra Basher: Hoped you enjoyed that and never mind the thing about the other site. I've decided to wait and save that for the honeymoon. Just out of curiosity are you a blonde? (No offence meant, it's just the girls I know who don't catch some innuendo are blondes).

Samster the Hamster: That's a cool name. Thanks for the very enthusiastic review and keep reading.

LockDown over and out…