Long overdue, just as everything else that I write at this point will be. Unless you want to bomb my school (and I wouldn't blame you) there is not much that can be done until the next couple weeks are gone and I am once more a free soul. Apologies abound. Oh, before I forget, my good friend Rusty and I started a joint account under the penname "Rust-a-Dust" (aren't we creative?) and we will be posting a story soon, if all goes well, so if you're interested, swing by.

jambey: Always the faithful reviewer. Good to have something you can count on in this crazy life. :) Quite the sharp one, aren't you? Now those questions will be answered in this chapter, but it will end with a whole new set...just hit me now and get it over with. :) Do I have an annoying smile, cuz I like to play with crowbars! -jumps up and down in excitement- Sorry about the "the". I wasn't thinking straight (when am I ever?).

Mystyre: Well, when I stop improving, I will be dead, so good to know that day has not yet arrived. Hmm...I actually took it through my friend Rusty who found it on some wacko site of hers...she can't remember exactly where...oh I think it was tickle or something like that? Hmm...dunno.

Commander Zucchini: Hopefully you aren't dead from the horrid wait. Hmm...when you asked that I did some good thought and decided that he would be considered about early twenties, in human reckoning.

CelticHeiressFiona: So sorry...I feel more and more guilty for the long wait by the minute. All the same, it was an evil cliffy, even by my standards.

gianluca de duonni: Yeah...that's why I put mental state as one of the key factors. It was, to say the least, a very interesting area of research.

Inuyasha's Plaything: Hmm...I think he might enjoy that too much. LOL thanks...and we'll see about that happy ending of yours.

gianluca de duonni: That was the affect I was hoping for with Venton, so I am overjoyed that I achieved it. -blows noisemaker- He is quite the smart a$$...

Tifereth: LOL maybe he is...well at least in some corner of my mind he is. Creepy, ain't it? Glad you liked how that worked out, it was a great idea and I'm glad I did it justice. -shiver- That image was very powerful in my mind too...extremely clear, more so than most things that I write, so I'm glad it converted to the page (or rather the screen). :( So sorry for the long wait...but you've been tormenting me too girly...where is chapter 4?

cutter-with-a-cause: Believe it or not, this was as soon as possible...curse teachers.

Reggie Tuesday chap 1: Yay! Approval...I love approval... chap 6: Yeah...I have a bad habit of doing that. Self-confidence issues or something like that.

Strixvaria: Hmm...you could always tell me your name and where you live...lol. Anythings possible I suppose. Let's just say that if you've never been in Arizona, then it's not possible. LOL same here...obsession is kinda like my way of life.

Mina: LOL true, I can't exactly make possession a happy theme. Yes, you definitely should take a stab at it. I'll even give you a song...well, if you like the idea. Have you ever heard Iris, by Goo Goo Dolls? I was listening to it the other day and it just screamed Rae/Rob...but I didn't have any ideas for a fic for it...so if you wanted to use it...who knows? Maybe inspiration will strike. I get ideas when I go camping...something about nature all around me. Wow...that's pretty amazing. I'm not even sure if I can cheer up people I know, and I don't even know you (by sight) and yet I can cheer you up with something as simple as writing. That's pretty darn neat, at least to me. New chapter, must have new chapter! Get to work, Mina:)

Digital - One Piece: No, not confusing. Well, my story is, but your review isn't. I know it's a bit hard to follow...just some weird plot that popped out of my head. Glad you like it, though.

Superchick116: Thanks!

an Angel from Hell: chap 11: Whoa...peace, quiet, tranquility. It's no big, I understand getting interested in other things. Not that I'm not glad to see you back... chap 12: Yeah, Venton didn't have much time for research. chap 13: Sorry this took so long :(

Strixvaria: Thanks.

VerticallyxChallenged: LOL yeah, a bit of an understatement. (Robin comes around corner, sees Dusty typing furiously) Rob: What are you saying? Are you talking bad about me again? Or are you scheming up some new method of torture? Dusty: -pulls out crooked halo- Whatever do you mean? Rob: Riiiiiight... Gah you're review got cut off again!

im in a kill people mood: Thanks!

The Light of Darkness: LOL I like it too...very artistic, and it really gets the point across. Yeah, I figured she'd be much more likely to save her tears for later and bite the bullet before it bites her. Hmmm...we shall just have to see. Thanks!

im in a kill people mood: LOL well, fortunately, that's what I was going for.

NevermoretheRaven: Good...

VerticallyxChallenged: Yeah, it sucked. LOL I'm sure it was witty... -pouts- stupid website denying me of your brilliance!

Reggie Tuesday: O.O I am honored beyond description. Thanks so much! And I've really appreciated all your reviews.

raventheinvincible: LOL and you are the sort of person that gets my butt in gear. Thanks for the little booster there, sorry it took so long.

Reggie Tuesday: I actually battled with myself over whether or not to put that line in...thought people might think it was sappy, so I'm glad you liked it.

Jinxed Kitty: Yes sir, or ma'am, as the case may be.

I gotta say, thanks everybody! That's the most reviews I've ever had for one chap on this story, so I'm honored. Ok, here we go. Italics are Robin's thoughts. Shut up and read.

-

Raven forced herself to stop, forced herself to breathe. Inhale...exhale. It was an excersice meant to calm her nerves, but this time it just wasn't working. She couldn't help but think that, if she went in now, there was no turning back. Whatever happened in Robin's mind was permanent; she knew that better than anyone. It was now or never again, but this time she would not fail him.

With one last deep breath that was gone before it began, Raven phased through the door into Robin's room.

Dark.

She bit back a scream as her eyes adjusted to the light, or lack thereof, only to see Robin staring back at her, a towel wrapped around his waist and water dripping from his wet hair. Her cover was blown, he was bound to suspect and, no doubt, make good on his promise to dispose of Robin should she interfere. What now?

Uh...why wasn't he doing anything?

Robin stood stock still, staring right at her with those horrid black eyes. He had moved not a muscle, said not a word since she came in. In fact, his eyes seemed glazed, unfocused...

Of course. He must be focusing on the inside, and that meant...Robin was in danger, to say the least. Hopefully, she would be able to use the demon's distraction to her advantage.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos," she whispered, eyes glowing and eerie white. This time, to her great relief, there was no invisible wall between Robin's sould and hers. With ease, but no small amount of anxiety, they touched.

Hot...scorching hot wind whipped in her face, sucking the moisture out of her skin instantly. Dreading what she might see, Raven opened her eyes.

Black sky. Red earth. Thunder and lightning crashing all around her. Huge, black crows, eerily familiar, divebombed her, snatching at her hair and shrieking into the tortured sky. There was nothing good or beautiful or clean left in this place, only pain and fear and evil. Where was he in all this mess? She was tempted to call out his name, but knew that would be incredibly stupid. She despised this entire ordeal; all she wanted was Robin...that is to say, she wanted her friend back.

Raven blinked, stepping back in surprise. Where empty wasteland had been moments before was a tall, black-barred cage, almost blending with the dark sky. Her stomach leapt into her throat, her heart skipped a beat; she knew who was in that cage, though she didn't allow herself to look, not yet. Going against the desire of every fiber of her being, she slipped backwards, shifting into her shadow form. She would do Robin no favors if the demon caught her before she wanted him to.

"...just relax. This will be as painless as you make it."

Tall, dark, clad in ripped and shredded leather. But that was just his human form. Appearances meant absolutely nothing when it came to demons, but this one was...creepy, or perhaps it was his aura; like tasting pond scum. Her brain froze over as he shifted to the side and Robin came into view. He hung limply, held upright by thousands of ropes attached to the bars of the cage. Rough, ragged breathing indicated extreme pain, maybe even more. He had not the strength to lift his head as the demon approached him, and worst of all, Raven couldn't sense him. She could feel his attacker all too well, but where Robin should have been, nothing. Not even a blip on the radar.

Raven tensed, holding her breath as the demon haulted, turning toward her suspiciously. Then a smile broke the scowl, though it was just as chilling. "Ah, Raven. How nice of you to stop in. Looks like you have a visiter, Rob." He turned back to the limp figure, cuffing him lightly. A quiet moan escaped him, but that was the only sign of life he gave.

"Release him!" she hissed venemously as she shifted back to her normal form, anger threatening to break through her defenses.

A cruel laugh assaulted her ears, sending a shiver running through her body. "I'm feeling generous today, so I'll make you a deal. If you can get him to say your name, just once, I'll leave. If not, I'll kill you both, take your body back to the Titans, neraly senseless with misery of course, and tell them all about your tragic suicide. Do we have a deal?" He extended his hand mockingly, a smirk on his lips and a cold fire burning in his eyes.

Raven hesitated, realizing the dangers of making a "deal with the devil", so to speak. But what other choice did she have? "Fine," she spat contemptuously, ignoring the hand. He nodded, sweeping it backwards graciously and stepping aside, a glint in his eye that might have made Raven reconsider, had she seen it. She didn't, and therefore stepped up to the bars without the foggiest of what would follow. "Robin?" Her voiice shook slightly as she looked at him, limp and silent but for ragged breathing.

That voice...it was different...sweet, calming...Did he know it?

"Robin, please. Can you hear me? Robin..."

She was sad...something was hurting her...Who was she? Did he know her? Something tugged at the back of his mind, a feeling of urgency fighting through the fog in his mind...had to remember...

"It's me. It's Raven." Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes, the lump of fear and despair in her throat nearly choking her as she fought for words. "Pleas just say something...Please answer me."

His heart sank as he heard the tears in her voice. Why was she crying? He tried to speak, to comfort her, but only a weak painful cough came out. Who was hurting her? He had to help her, had to save her... "Ra--"

The word died on his lips and he began to shake, his heart thumping faster and faster in his chest as he convulsed in the ropes, waiting... His entire body became rigid, his back arching as a scream exploded from his lungs, ripping and tearing the life out of him as a river of liquid fire surged through his veins. The pain collected at the base of his skull and pulsed, blinding him with agony.

"Robin! NO!" Panic surged up and crashed over her head, pulling her under. What to do? What could she do? How could she stop it? His scream echoed in her mind, drilled into her skull, drove all rational thought from her reach. A variety of cuss words and curses streamed from her mouth as she moved to phase through the bars, only to find yet another invisible barrier. Robin's thrashing was becoming more violent, his scream taking on a desperate, almost pleading note as the ropes burned red and the mark on his forehead pulsed ever-quicker.

Raven whirled around, trembling with fear, rage, too many emotions to name. "You...you...Let him go!"

"Ah, you're such a spoil sport. The fun is just beginning." He grinned smugly, and as he did so, the ropes became so bright that they were unbearable to behold, and Robin's body stiffened, his feet a good six inches of the ground as the scream became weaker, begging for release.

"YOU'LL KILL HIM!"

"He can hold out a bit longer. And what if he doesn't? Why would you care, Raven? You don't return his love. Sure, his loss might sting for a while, but you'll get over it. They always do." The smirk was replaced by a piercing stare as he stood facing her, arms folded across his chest and utterly unaffected as Robin twitched and jerked behind him, choking and gasping for want of air, tears streaming unchecked from masked eyes.

With a glare that could have froze the fires of Hell, Raven drew back her fist, knuckles white and trembling, and brought it smashing right into his cocky, arrogant, cruel face. A surge of satisfaction coursed through her as her fist connected with the bridge of his nose and he stumbled backward, one hand over his face and dark eyes wide. That was for Robin, that was for that stupid kiss, and most of all, that was for the way he mocked something so sacred to her heart. In that moment, Raven wondered if anything had ever felt so good.

Unfortunately, her victory was short-lived.

"Imnar Hezbarath Sae!"

A ton of bricks, or so it felt, collided with her chest, smashing her against the bars of Robin's cage, the cold metal biting into her back.

"Very good, Raven. I'm amazed that I didn't see that coming. It goes to show, just because you're beautiful doesn't mean you're completely braindead. However, I'm afraid I must call your attention to that little agreement we made not long ago. You lost." The demon advanced slowly, eyes narrowed to malicious black slits as Raven gasped, the invisible hand pressing the air from her lungs as Robin's scream became a weak, hoarse moan. Time for Plan B.

...If only there was a Plan B.

Eek, this is getting scary, ain't it? Just thought I would warn you, it looks like this story is almost over...just a couple chapters left, unless something changes drastically. Well, I'll see you next time! -Dusty