Author's Note: Here it is. "The Talk." It's a short chapter, mainly because the action is so brief. I know all of you have been waiting for this part.

Chapter Nine

Raven was still confused about her feelings for Robin, but she was determined to resolve them. There's no harm in just talking about it, she told herself firmly. At worst, I'll just be mortified for the rest of my life, she added glumly. But she would talk to him. She had to. She would go mad with indecision otherwise.

When she heard that Robin would be returning that evening, she was both elated…and apprehensive. She was pacing back and forth at the entrance to Titan Tower, wringing her hands in nervousness. She had never felt so anxious before. The Batmobile rolled right up and Robin stepped out. He shared a few sarcastic words with Batman before taking his leave. He waved at her, a crooked smile on his face; she returned the gesture.

When the Batmobile rolled off, Robin approached her. "What was that all about?" Raven asked him, pointing at the retreating Batmobile.

He looked disgusted. "He had some…things to say about you. And me." Raven's head went up at the implications. Robin couldn't look her directly in the eye when he said, "We need to talk."

"I wanted to talk too," she admitted.

"Then we'd better start talking."

They stood there, not moving. Raven coughed. "Um…we'd better do it somewhere private," she suggested. "There's the park…the one with the lake. It's getting late, so no one should be there."

Robin cocked an eyebrow at the suggested location. "That's where couples go for dates," he said flatly.

Raven's eyes were guarded. She was thankful that the darkening sky hid the redness of her face. "Yes. It is." It took a lot out of her to force out the affirmation.

"Sounds good," Robin said. He gestured. "Shall we?"

The park was indeed empty when they arrived. But neither could appreciate the crystalline beauty of the lake as the moonlight danced upon its waters. They were too anxious. Raven stood there, by the lakeshore, trying to dig the toe of a boot into the dirt. Robin stood there, coughing occasionally, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Neither said anything.

Finally, they said simultaneously, "I just wanted to say—" They stopped. Then they tried again, once more speaking at the same time, "You first—" They shared a nervous laugh.

"You go first," Raven offered.

"All right." He absently kicked a rock into the lake while he collected his thoughts. "Raven, over the past few weeks…we've…gotten pretty close haven't we?"

"Yes," she agreed with a nod. "We have."

He turned away from her and looked out over the lake. "In that short span of time, I got to know you. I'd like to get to know you even better." He said the last in a rush. Then he took a deep breath to calm himself down and continued, "I know that this thing we have…this friendship…relationship…has only been going on for a little while, and we've only been on one date…but I want it to be more."

He shrugged, as if confused. "The thing is, I don't know if my feelings are my true feelings. But I want to know. So, if it's all right with you…can it be more?" He looked at her and was shocked at what he saw.

Raven's eyes shone with tears of happiness.

"Robin," she murmured. "I can't believe this. I've been agonizing over the exact same thing this whole time. I want to know if what I'm feeling is real, too." She extended her hand to him. "And I want to find out with you there with me."

He smiled as he took her small hand in his. Then, driven by impulse and the passion of the moment, he pulled her into an embrace.

Raven sighed and let the walls around her heart—all of the walls—fall away. It's all right, she knew. I can let them down for him. There's no reason to hide myself from him anymore. She gripped his back with desperate fingers. She felt his hands encircle her waist insistently. No, there's no need anymore. Not with him. Not with this feeling, this happiness.

"Raven?" She heard him whisper her name into her ear. His breath tickled. It was a good feeling.

"Yes?" she breathed into his chest. He smelled earthy. He carried the scent of the Batcave with him. She liked it.

"May I kiss you?"

When she grinned into his chest, she wondered if he could feel it.

In answer, she tilted her head up and let her hair fall from her face.

When his lips touched hers, she abandoned those emotional barriers that had long been her sanctuary. She didn't miss them at all.

Author's Note: Well, there you have it. Robin and Raven are officially a couple. But it isn't over yet. Remember Raven's lost powers? There was a reason for that. Please look forward to the next installment, when I finally reveal why Raven lost her magic.