Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.

Who else thinks Robin's mask is really sexy?

…..

The Titans, minus one badly shaken member, sat in the lounge. No gazes were met, but their eyes were filled with different levels of worry and fear. Cyborg was the one to speak up first, "You said you found her outside?" A muscle in Robin's jaw twitched.

"Yes, I did."

"And she said Slade was after her, again?"

"Yes, Cyborg; that's what she said."

Beast Boy spoke up angrily from the end of the couch, "Why didn't she tell us what happened last time when Slade was after her?"

Robin clenched his fists. "Because an insane mastermind is out for her blood. I think she has every reason not to talk about it," he grounded out.

"Man, don't even defend her. She's hiding something important from us and if she's not going to talk-"

Robin got up from the couch, squaring off with the changeling. "What do you think you can do about it, Beast Boy? Huh?"

Starfire said sadly, coming between them, "Do not fight. We must comfort Friend Raven in her time of need."

"I agree with BB about talking with her." Cyborg said, "but I think Robin should do it."

"Why me?"

"You've had more experience."

He whispered, turning his back to them, "With what? Talking with her or dealing with Slade?" Robin stormed the entire way to Raven's room; without meaning to, he stared crossly at her engraved name on the door. Remembering the reason why he was there, his green-gloved hand rapped on cold metal. "Raven? It's me. Open up." Silence. "Please?"

With a swooosh, the steel door disappeared without a second's thought and he warily stayed in the doorway. To his utter surprise, a low-lit lamp shone on a desk in the corner of the large bedroom. Raven sat in a chair by it, her hands resting on her bandaged knees. He asked quietly, "How long have you been sitting there?"

"A while."

"Can you walk?"

"Yes. It hurts."

Robin rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Can I come in?"

She said dully, "Door's open for a reason." As soon as he had both feet in, the steel door slammed itself shut.

Robin commented, "You like your privacy."

"You can knock it off. I'm not going to tell you why Slade's after me… why my birthday is nothing to celebrate." His face darkened. Raven met his masked glance, not blinking. "But I will soon. Believe me that I will, but it won't be now."

"Why? Don't you trust us?"

She turned her face away, her violet hair screening her face from view. Robin lost his patience and turned her to face him, his hands gripping the armrests. They held a staring contest before she continued, "I promise I will tell you. All of you."

"Words have empty meanings."

"I know it's a lot to ask but trust me."

Robin was reluctant to do so... but the memory of seeing her broken kept nagging the back of his mind. He backed away. "You'll have to deal with the others on your own."

Raven took a hold of the sides of the chair and stood up both slowly and painfully before her knees buckled under her weight. He caught her as if he expected her to fall and led her to her bed. She shifted her cloak around her body awkwardly, as if finally noticing how much of her legs were revealed. Robin went to her desk. "Good night, Raven." His hand reached for the switch.

"...Don't."

Her violet eyes flickered to the lamp, savoring its warmth and protection. She added with a hint of anxiety, "Leave it."

Robin knew why she didn't want the light off. It happened to him a week after Slade invaded in his head. He refused to turn off any lights when the sun set and housed under his bed for a few weeks were several, fresh flashlights. After a particularly vivid nightmare, he had begged Starfire to keep him company until he fell asleep in the training room. He had refused to admit what was happening.

He went over to where Raven sat cross-legged and made his voice lower, "...You don't have to be afraid of the dark." It must have been the wrong thing to say because she then glanced menacingly at her lamp. It exploded noisily and enveloped them both in dark.

She muttered stubbornly, "I'm not afraid," but her breath was shaking and so was her body.

"Okay, who did that?" Cyborg roared within their hearing in Titans Tower.

Beast Boy exclaimed next, "Come on, I was gonna beat Cy!"

"I had you, BB. You weren't going anywhere."

Starfire's shriek pierced the night. Her voice drifted down the hallway, "What has happened?"

"A blackout, Star. I think Robin mighta said something wrong to the little lady."

"I was only twenty points away, someone is gonna pay for this! Vengeance, I demand VENGEANCE!"

"Cool your jets. I'm gonna go fix this." Cyborg's heavy footsteps passed by and out a doorway.

Robin groped for her reaching hand in the dark and held it firmly. There wasn't anything to be seen inches from Raven's face. The fear she had been holding back sternly finally seized her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, scooting closer and burying her face into his shoulder.

Dignity be damned.

He calmly whispered in her ear, "Even when you can't see, I'll always find a way to reach you, okay? You have nothing to be afraid of. Slade can't hurt you when you have no fear." Robin rocked her slightly, hoping that Cyborg would fix the lights soon. As if someone had heard his prayer, a dull wash of light shined through the crack under her door. Enough for them to see plainly.

Raven realized how she was acting and pulled away, blushing and grateful he could not see it. "I'm sorry."

"It's no problem. You're not the only one who was afraid of the dark once."

The bedroom door slid open for him and he took it as a sign to leave, throwing a mini flashlight at her feet. "Just in case it takes a while to get rid of."

"Robin, this-"

He finished automatically before disappearing out of her sight, "Never happened." He never got to see the phantom of a smile on her face.

…..

A/N: Heh, anyone like my random note? Remember everyone, the Titans don't know about the prophecy yet or how Slade's involved. It's set after Birthmark, just reminding ya. Raerob4ever, finalitylife, Darkofthenight, Spreadthelove1, Unforeseen, lilchishorty, LunarIceDragon, watergoddess08, w, , Angel Caida, dragon huntress, and evilsangle thanks so much for reviewing! I don't deserve all this praise, thank you, I'm just really happy. You guys make my week. Chapter Six real soon!

Watergoddess08: Yes, I've seen Stranded and yes, I wish for the same. Even though it's probably a RobStar pairing I still got hope. I'm still a rabid RaeRob shipper. It was cute though. I loved the scenes with Raven and the creatures. Laughed so hard I choked on my own saliva.

Dragon huntress: You cried? Wow. I like to hear that it makes an emotion impact on you. I can't promise too much happiness for dear Raven though.