This has to be my latest update yet folks, i was having some serious writer's block over this chapter.


The Power of a Storm

Chapter 8: The Gift

(Outside the Garden, 10:00 AM)

Robin and Raven left the secret garden after enjoying a morning's meditation. Raven looked over at Robin and gave a faint smile.

"You really took to it Robin. You had great focus and seemed to have no problem maintaining it. Cyborg was right, this was a great idea, it seems to already have an effect on you."

Robin blushed faintly.

"Well, it's only because I have such a good teacher…"

His attempt to pass off her compliment was not ignored.

"Robin, don't take your accomplishments away from yourself. All your life people will try to take them from you, don't take them from yourself. Have pride in it. You did great."

She reached over to his hand and squeezed it gently. Robin looked into her eyes, the thoughts burning in his mind. I love you, I love you, I love you…

Raven let go of his hand and started to walk away. She turned her head to look behind her as she walked.

"Come on, it's time we got something to eat."

Robin shook his head to clear his mind and jogged after her.


(Common Room)

Raven was rummaging through the various cupboards looking for something to eat, while Robin was on the opposite side of the small kitchen doing the same.

"So this is when you normally eat?"

"Yes, at this point everyone is gone to spend the morning doing whatever, and I get time to myself to eat. Plus there's no fuss over tofu or meat."

Robin chuckled. "I should have thought of this years ago."

"How about some eggs and toast?"

"Sounds good, I'll go ahead and make it."

Raven nodded. "Call me when it's ready, I'll be reading."

Raven left for her room to get a book and then come back to wait for breakfast/brunch.

Robin started cooking, whistling to himself. For the first time in weeks he felt great. Cyborg really was right, that did wonders. I haven't felt this great since, well, ever. Robin flipped the eggs in the pan, he had decided on fried eggs for the two of them. And Raven's warming up to me, everything is turning up roses. Robin took a minute while the eggs were cooking to stretch. Letting out a yawn he glanced over at the wall to wall windows that covered one side of the room. The rain was still going, but at least the thunder and lightning had stopped for the time being. Too bad that storm still hasn't cleared up. Another thought occurred to Robin, How long have we been in here? Three, four days? He took a minute to stop and figure it out, thinking back to the night he had Cyborg announce it. That was the first night, so that means it's been… yeah, three days. Today is the fourth day. Didn't he say it was going to be a week?

Robin was shaken from his thoughts by the smell of something burning. He looked down and let out a yell. The eggs were on fire, and the fire was spreading to his apron. At that moment Raven came walking back into the room and saw the scene before her: Robin hopping around the kitchen trying to blow out the fire that had started on his apron, the pan still sitting on the stove, smoke coming out of it. She laughed and Robin looked up.

"…Oops."

"Nice Robin, nice. Let me give you a hand."

Raven moved her hand and the pan flew in the direction her hand went towards the sink. She then used her powers to turn on the sink and put out the eggs.

Robin had put out his apron and was now looking at her sheepishly.

"Sorry Rae, I guess a burned our breakfast."

"It's ok, just start again. We've got time enough."

Robin nodded and got out new eggs and a new pan to try again.

"Oh, and Robin?"

"Yeah?"

"Scrambled. I like my eggs scrambled, not fried."

Robin smiled and went back to work.

Fifteen minutes later he had managed to successfully make a breakfast suitable to be eaten. He pulled out the table they used, conveniently stored in the side of the kitchen's island.

"Raven, it's ready."

Raven looked up form her book to the kitchen and saw the little setup he had made her. She looked back down at her book, finished the paragraph she was on, and placed the book down on the couch, marking her place with a small bookmark. She walked over to the table and sat down. She was about to scoot her chair in when Robin came around and placed his hands on her chair.

"Allow me."

Raven shook her head. "Always playing the gentleman, eh Robin?"

"Only when the lady deserves it."

His comment earned another small smile from Raven.

He sat down across from her and swept his arms over the table. "Dig in."

After breakfast was done, the two teens were doing the dishes as they had the night before. The only difference this time was that Robin was no longer making pathetic attempts to earn her attention.

"So Raven…"

"Yes?"

"Notice anything?"

She looked over at him and shook her head.

"No, why? Have you?"

"Let me rephrase that. Have you noticed anything… unusual this morning?"

She frowned, What's he talking about? Does this have something to do with the storm, because anyone can tell it's getting better.

"No, not anything unusual."

"Really? I have, and it has something to do with you." He pointed at her and gave a small grin.

Now Raven was really stumped. "Alright, quit messing around. What are you talking about?"

Robin remained silent for a few minutes, smiling while he worked. He was trying to tease her and get on her nerves, and it was working.

"Robin, tell me. What in the world is so unusual about me this morning? Tell me or else!"

She tried to glare at him, but she was too distracted by her irritation with him, and only made a small grimace that wouldn't even scare Beastboy.

Finally Robin gave in and set his dishes down. He turned to face her and spoke.

"You've been feeling this morning."

Raven remained silent, the words not yet taking full effect upon her.

"You've been expressing feelings, and nothing has gone wrong."

It dawned on her, he was right. Throughout the whole morning she had been with Robin she had been expressing some feelings, and nothing had blown up.

"I'm still here Rae, nothing happened. I was right."

She nodded slowly. "It's true, nothing has happened."

Robin grinned. Raven spoke again.

"I remember that when you proposed the idea of meditating with me, I went to my room that night and thought about it. I realized that I felt…excited at the idea of spending that time with you. I thought about denying these feelings, to protect you, but then your words rang through my head. Your denial of your feelings is what is dangerous, not the feelings themselves. I thought about it, and how that one night, when I accepted my fear, I regained control. Denying my fear made it all happen, so I decided that I should just accept the idea of wanting to be around you. And I guess it worked, nothing happened. I guess you were right that night."

Robin nodded, pleased that he was able to bring her to this realization.

"What do you think about this, meditating in…there, and doing it with me?"

Raven paused a moment, then opened her mouth to speak.

"I think that… I'm going to be happy, and that everything will work out. I think it's going to be good for us."

Us. Robin smiled the biggest smile he had ever smiled, and moved toward Raven. He put his arms around her and drew her close. She responded and wrapped her arms around him, rubbing her hands on his back, her face resting on his shoulder.

"Robin…"

"Yeah?"

"…Thank you."

She looked up to his masked eyes and smiled, not a small smile, or a grin, but a full-fledged smile. It was the first time he had ever seen her do this. Looking into her sparkling, lavender eyes, and the beautiful smile on her face, he could not help but smile back.

"The pleasure's all mine Rae, it really is."

Robin could feel his heart swell with happiness; this had to be the best day of his life yet. He felt as if no one could be this happy, nothing could ruin this day. Sadly, he knew that as much as he wanted, he could not spend his whole day standing there holding her in his arms. Some time he would have to let his dream girl go. With an impossible effort he removed his arms from Raven, gently pushing her away so that he might resume his duties. He turned his body to resume the dishes, but kept his eyes locked on Raven. For a brief second he was sure he saw hurt in her eyes that he had withdrawn from her. She turned away from him, going back to work herself, trying to hide the feeling inside her.

Now's the time to talk to her about it. "Raven?"

She turned her head to look at him.

"Thank you for the gift."

She gave him a strange look. "What gift?"

It was Robin's turn to give a strange look now. "What do you mean, 'what gift?' The one that you left outside my door last night."

"I didn't do that Robin."

"But… I was sure that you did it. Are you sure you didn't? You're not messing with me or anything, right?"

"Of course not! What? You don't believe me? I told you, I was in my room last night, meditating." She had turned to face him, her arms at her sides, one hand clenched into a fist, angry that he didn't trust her words. Her face was set into a look of anger. The sponge began to glow.

Robin held his hands up in a defensive gesture. "Whoah, whoah, chill Raven. I didn't say that. All I wanted to know was if you really weren't the one that left it there."

Her fist slowly relaxed, along with her whole body. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I'm sorry. I just have an issue with trust. Ever since…her."

Robin nodded, he too remembered the pain Terra had brought them.

"…What was in it?"

Robin gave a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… the thing about that is…"

"Yes?"

"I don't really…know."

Raven cocked an eyebrow at him. "Okay, if I get this right, you found a present outside your door. You thought it was from me, and you didn't open it? Wow, way to show you care."

"Hey! It's not like that! I thought it was from you, so I decided that I should do something for you too, so I spent the rest of the night arranging for this morning. Then I was too tired to open it."

"Where is it now?"

"In my room."

"Going to find out what it is, and who sent it?"

"Only if you come with me."

Raven gave a small grin and hit him gently on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go."

She walked off and Robin once again found himself staring transfixed at her as she walked. His eyes followed the feminine curves of her body. She's so beautiful…How could I never have noticed her before?


(Robin's Room)

Raven looked around his room, slightly bemused. It was a lot plainer than she had figured. She looked at his large bed, and the small nightstand that held a lamp, and a small brown box. She gestured to it.

"Is that it?"

Robin nodded and walked over to it. In one motion he picked up the box and sat down on the bed. He motioned for Raven to sit next to him. She silently complied and sat a short distance from him, maintaining her space. Robin looked down at the present, his eyes defying its mysteries, trying to figure out from whom it came. The two sat in silence, Robin staring downward into his lap at the gift, and Raven remaining silent, waiting for him to act.

"Robin."

He lifted his head to look at her, to find a faint smile on her face. She reached up and squeezed his shoulder. He nodded and looked down to the present. Slowly, his hands moved toward it, trembling slightly, and began to tug at the plain wrapping. The only sounds in the room were the breathing of the two teens and the tearing of the paper. Bit by bit the wrapping came off, exposing teasing glimpses at its contents. Raven looked at his face, his brows furrowed in focus, sweat beads forming on his head.

"Robin, relax. It's just a gift."

He looked at her and gave an embarrassed smile.

"You're right."

"Inhale deep." Robin complied. "Hold it. Now exhale slowly." He let out his breath.

His hands were steady now, he was calmer, more relaxed. He finished unwrapping it and let out a gasp. He looked over to Raven, her eyes were wide and her mouth open.

"I know who gave this to me."

Raven slowly nodded, amazed by the small thing of beauty in his lap. She gave this to him? Then that means… she…she must…


I put a lot of fluff in there for all you fans of Robin and Raven. Raven seems to becoming more of a mentor to him now, even advising him. No Beastboy, only a mention. He may or may not appear before the end (which i do have planned), but they may change as I have not yet figured out completely how to get to the end.

I thought I'd do something different this time and put the thank you's at the end.

Angel Of The Dawn: Awesome, glad I was able to expand your horizons a bit. That makes me really proud.

Darkbird 1345: Always around eh? Glad i can count on you for some good vibes.

Chico De Los Ojos Cafe: Glad you liked the garden, i really want something like that in my house someday. I love nature, and i thought Robin might too.

Raven Of The Shadows Azarath: Happy?

robenluver: I am far from an expert, but thanks for the compliment.

Witch01: Way to write that one off. Yeah, things are going to get a little rough on Star soon.

yumechan03: Glad you liked it.

darkraven1989: Of course i answer the reviews, what kind of ass ignores his/her fans? lol

robinstar: Well... it is a romance story. lol. I try hard to give an idea of how much he loves her, and showing her one of his deeper secrets and passions is something i thought would work great.

me is here: Right on, glad you like it. I try hard to make it good enough for you guys.

Cygnus de hielo: I find it funny that you say i write Cyborg well, since i'm not really trying with him. But ok, if it works then I guess it works. I owe you a HUGE debt of thanks. I had almost finished this chapter, then i got your review. I wrote almost the whole thing COMPLETELY ignoring the present. That would have made one lame chapter in my opinion. Thanks sooooooooooooo much. That's why this chapter took so long, i had to completely rethink the whole thing.

sarah: It's on my list. Don't feel bad, i bought the damn thing, and publically mentioned it on the internet during a piece of writing. How do you think that makes me look?

Kitsune6: As i have said, i try hard to make this good for you guys. I deny homework and fresh air to get these thigns up, so it really helps me out to know that y'all like it.


Ok then, that is that.

'Till i update again, send some thoughts my way, or read that other thing i wrote. Not sure if it's any good, but mleh. If enough people like it i may continue. I do have some ideas if i were, but if i don't continue it, well then i'll just write something else.

O hey! If i don't update by then, have a happy St. Patricks Day!