Ah, hello again. Here is the next chapter you've been asking for...-sigh- I'm still mourning the loss of all those reviews...why did they have to delete it? Why? Oh well. This chapter was cooked up while listening to a pleasant mixture of Evanescence and Dashboard Confessional, but the poem fits it best of anything I can think of...and it was written by me, thank you very much. Should be sad...it made my mom cry, but of course that doesn't necessarily mean it will do the same for you.

They Call Me Sweetsnow: Yes I did, the site deleted it. Thank you.

Darkofthenight: Yes, I did. The site deleted it. Thank you.

Cherry Jade: Thank you, I really did work as hard as I could on it...and that's a good possibility.

basketcase101: Thanks! Don't cry, I'm writing more.

CuTtEr.WiTh.A.cAuSe: Wow...thank you. The main focus is Rae/Rob, there's some BB/Rae in this chapter...and there probably won't be any more Star/Rob besides what happened in the first chapter. A bit confusing I know.

Digital. One Piece.: Yes exactly. Good, in my reasoning I figured she would be the most likely to visit. I am planning on elaborating on what happened with Beast Boy in later chapters, so that should make sense. As far as working for Slade, he almost broke the first time, what with enjoying it and all...I don't think he could survive a second time, and when he tried to resist Slade showed him very clearly who was stronger...Thank you.

Angel Caida: Yes, it exhausted me for sure. And so did this chapter...lol no it's not a one-shot.

otakualways: Well, he always showed harsh tendencies, especially toward Robin...hmm...we'll see.

F. Ros: Wow, thank you. I did the best I could on it.

Mystyre: -sigh- That's because he usually is the first one to give up on Robin. Their conflict is obvious, I mean heck, it started in the first episode! But I'm also basing this on how he acted in Overdrive...his mechanical parts are taking over. I know I didn't mention this, but Robin's 17 in this story, so Cy's probably 24 or something... Yes, he never gives up...but just that statement is so unrealistic. I decided to make an in-depth exploration of what happens when he does give up. -shrug- It's what I write, the idea wouldn't leave me alone, so I just hope to write good angst. Hmm...Thanks, I was hoping it would. I rather liked that line also...LOL is this ASAP enough for you?

Umbro Draco: -sob- I most certainly did not delete it! The site did...because of the song...what did your other review say? Gah I'm so mad! Seventeen reviews, gone! Yes I will continue...hope you like this.

Raven didn't bother with elevators this time. The moment she was out the door, she glowed black and sank right through the floor. She passed smoothly through level after level, catching a brief glimpse of Starfire crying in her room as the basement drew ever closer. Her mind wandered back to Cyborg's uncaring statement: "An eye for an eye. Justice is served." Justice? If that was his idea of justice, then he was just as lost as Robin.

Robin...her stomach lurched and twisted as though she had consumed a pair of live snakes. She could easily sense him: his mind in a frantic whirl, his heart beating dangerously fast, just as it had on another such occasion, when Slade had made his first after-death appearance. It had been cruel to lock him in the basement where so much torment had occurred...But maybe cruelty was what Cyborg had intended.

Raven alighted gracefully on the cold concrete floor, gazing into the shadows for the second time that day. There she was, hovering uncertainly before the door again. Raven was slightly afraid of what she would find, but determination drove her through the door and into the dreaded room.

He lay hunched and shivering against the wall, breathing ragged and fast-paced as he gazed with feverish horror into empty air, a series of words and phrases tripping from his mouth in a jumbed stream.

"Raven...n-no...help...s-sorry...ri...Richard. I...I-I'm Richard...p-please..."

Guilt powerful enough to make her flinch and silently chant her mantra coursed through Raven as she took several hurried steps forward, dropping to her knees and reaching a careful hand toward his forehead...

He swatted weakly at the hand, eyes unfocused and threatening to roll back into his head. "N-no...no...stop..."

Swallowing hard against the lump in his throat, Raven managed to choke out a response. "It's me, Robin. Don't be afraid, I'm here."

A tear rolled down his cheek as his eyes became slightly more focused, an intense agony burning in their frozen depths. "No...you're n-not...Raven...not c-coming...never..."

Raven bit her lip hard, cursing herself for not doing this sooner. She reached out and gently brushed his burning cheek with her fingertips. "I'm here, Robin. I'm here."

Rough breathing ceased as she touched him. His eyes grew wide as they met hers, tears swimming in the deep blue ocean. "R...R-raven?" he whispered, voice shaking and trembling as much as his weakened body, filled with desperate longing.

She meant to smile reassuringly, but her lips would not obey her. "Yes," she whispered, reaching out and taking his hand. The fingers were limp and unresponsive, as though they hadn't felt her touch. The shaking became more violent, his breaths shorter and farther-spaced as eyes rolled aimlessly and eyelids drooped wearily. Frowning deeply and trying to contain her fear, Raven reached out to him, preparing for the journey back up through the tower. He couldn't stay in this damp, cold room any longer.

Slowly, as though the small movement exhausted him, Robin shook his head. "No...leave me...g-go now..."

Violet eyes widened, pain reflected deep within them. She couldn't believe he would really say that, especially when just moments before he had seemed so relieved to see her.

Please, please don't look at me
I don't deserve those eyes

"No, I'm not going to leave you. You're sick, Robin, you need someone to help you. No one deserves...this." Her stomach twisted in disgust as she glanced around the room. Being in here for five minutes was enough to make her shiver and gasp with claustrophobia; she couldn't even imagine what an entire week would be like.

He paralyzed her with that tortured gaze, tears spilling from his eyes and rolling down his flushed cheeks like rain on the windowpane. Taking a shuddering breath, he choked out two simple words, whispering an eternity of pain. "I do."

It took her a few moments for his meaning to truly sink in, and when it did, her blood ran cold. No one deserved this cruelty, and Robin was anything but no one. Before he could say another word, Raven enveloped him in shimmering black energy and melted through the ceiling.

The journey was much shorter as their destination was, not the living room, but Raven's bedroom. He would be safe there; none of the Titans dared intrude on her privacy.

Raven eased him over to her bed, laying him gently on the soft black comforter. It must have felt as though she had captured a cloud for him, after a week of sleeping on a concrete floor. With a hesitant glance, as though afraid of leaving him for even a moment, she glided into the bathroom and soaked a washcloth in ice-cold water. It wouldn't be enough, but at least she would be doing something to help him.

Robin gasped as the cold rag touched his skin, eyes opening with difficulty. Seeing her worried face gazing gently down at him, he shrank back, reaching up to push the rag away. "Don't..."

Please don't touch me, Angel
I fear what my darkness could do
To that perfect skin

Raven recoiled slightly, a hurt look reflected in her deep purple orbs, making him feel even worse...but he couldn't stay here. Right now, all he wanted was for her to put him back in that room and leave him alone. It was so much easier...

Taking a deep breath, she looked away awkwardly, still holding the rag. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't take her help...but she knew he needed it. Robin was not going to die; not if she had anything to say about it. He had the look of a wounded animal, darting fearful glances out of wide eyes and franticly searching for an escape, and it tugged at her heart, erasing everything he had done wrong and leaving her exposed to the guilt and loss. Somehow she would make him see that it wasn't too late. Somehow... "Robin, I want to help you. I...all of that...it doesn't matter right now. You're my friend, I love you just as much as the others, and I'm not going to let you suffer. You aren't alone, Robin. Just let me help you...please?"

Her eyes bored into him, penetrating deep into his soul and laying bare all of its darkness and filth. Shame far more painful than any physical wound burned inside him, making him wish for nothing more than something to hide his face from those heavenly eyes. She shouldn't have to see something so despicable and disgusting.

Please don't speak
Your voice is a pleasure
I sacrificed long ago

Robin swallowed hard, mouth parched and tongue swollen. "Don't...help me. Just...just put me...back...p-please?"

Raven just stared at him, confusion and pain etched into every feature. How coud he explain? Every glance was a thousand knives driven through his body, every touch ripped his heart in two, every word killed him. Loneliness was so much less painful than this excruciating sense of loss. She was a mirage in the desert, agonizingly close and completely unatainable. And he had made it that way. He would rather die a thousand deaths than to endure one more moment of her sweet presence.

Leave me, I deserve it
Abandon me, I understand
Kill me, I'll thank you
Just please, I beg you
Don't show me love

Raven's frown remained, but her confusion slowly died away as understanding worked its way in. The emotional rollercoaster radiating from him was beginning to make sense. He thought it was too late to redeem himself, considered the things he had done beyond forgiveness, believed himself too evil to be loved. The empath's frown deepened as she thought over everything that had happened in a way she had never before allowed. It was painful, but she forced herself to consider everything she knew about his apprenticeship; the problem was...she had a feeling that what she knew was considerably less than all there was to know. She would have to trust her instincts, and they were telling her that, though Robin did steal and attack, he never stooped low enough to take a life. Raven knew what a murderer looked like, and a murderer, Robin was not. There was still hope for him, there had to be. She was not going to let him give up. Taking a deep breath and staring intensely at the many volumes on her bookcase, Raven spoke.

"The road of life has many smooth paths, lit with sunlight and framed in the beauty of the trees. There are summers, hot and sunny, and falls, soothed with cool breezes and crisp nights. They bring us the greatest joy imaginable." Raven slowly turned her gaze on him, violet locking with stunning blue. "But every life has a winter: frozen, empty, and bitter. Every shred of summer's joy and autumn's peace vanishes, engulfed by the all-consuming white. Every moment is stretched out until happiness fades away into the icy prison. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you begin to fear that it will never end." The blue eyes widened in awe as tears began to gather deep within them; a storm cloud threatening rain. "Even then, Robin, there is hope. Do you know what it is?" The boy remained silent, one tear after another escaping as he trembled slightly. A gentle smile crept onto Raven's lips. "Spring, Robin. The promise of a new beginning, the promise of freedom. It's not always easy to find. Sometimes Spring's gentle sunlight falls on great destruction and sorrow. Sometimes you have to sacrifice much to find that heart-lifting joy again." The dark girl was silent for a moment, gazing into his eyes as though completely lost in them. With a small shake of her head, she exhaled slowly, composure regained. "In reality, there is only one question to answer. Would you rather live a life imprisoned, or die with your freedom?"

Robin could only stare, struck dumb as her words penetrated to his very core. He no longer felt the hot tears burning in his eyes, aware of nothing but the impossible vision before him.

Such beauty and innocence
Perfection in the light of your eyes

In the midst of his turmoil, one question would not be silenced, echoing inside his mind until it finally forced its way to his mouth. "Why?"

Raven looked at him, surprised at the whispered question.

Why was she doing this? Why did she care? Why was she wasting her time on him? Her affection was infinitely confusing, like stroking a dog when it expects to be kicked. His tongue wouldn't form the words as her eyes continued to burn into him, threatening to pull him in and disolve any remaining resistance, should he let them. He could only choke out the same word and hope she would understand. "W...why?"

Sweet, sweet angel
Why descend from your cloud on high
To help one so evil and lost as I?

A sudden frown darkened Raven's eyes, his thoughts making her bleed inside. Why did he think himself so worthless, so despicable, so inferior? What could she say to make him understand? She loved him, in spite of all his mistakes, in spite of everything he had done. Love is not a lightswitch. It refuses to be flicked on and off by something so irrelevant in comparison to its ancient power. At a loss for anything better to say, Raven whispered the one thing that came to mind, something he once told her, something that meant the world to her. "Because that's what friends do."

Robin turned his face away in shame, afraid of the soft smile in her eyes. He knew what it meant...and the realization was slowly tearing him apart.

Why do I see that unconditional love
So utterly wasted on me?

A small sigh, containing a hint of exasperation, escaped Raven's lips. She had tried everything...except this.

The former hero gasped, indigo eyes wide in astonishment. Slowly, as though afraid of breaking the spell, he tilted his head downward to take in the sight. Raven's arms were wrapped around him, conveying trust and protection at the same time, her head rested against his chest, eyes scrunched up, mouth pursed and forehead wrinkled in determination. Her body seemed strangely cool in comparison to his own, as refreshing as a gentle breeze whispering in through an open window. An entrancing scent enveloped him, peppermint and honey and so many others he couldn't even name...and honestly, it didn't matter. The smell was, simply, Raven...and nothing could ever be more comforting.

The empath felt him relax, tensed muscles loosening, breath coming in rhythmic waves, heartbeat slow and steady. Little by little, the walls were coming down, revealing a weak and hesitant glimpse of what she had been searching for all along. A gentle smile softened her expression as her own heart calmed. Robin was here...surely nothing could be wrong.

In that moment, it seemed utterly impossible that anything could ruin this heaven or drain the happiness it contained. However, the means for accomplishing both existed in the form of an oddly-colored fly that zoomed, unnoticed, out the open window.

Leave me, I deserve it
Abandon me, I understand
Kill me, I'll thank you
Just please, I beg you
Don't show me love

The words came in a confused jumble, pulsing with sobs so desperately contained and giving away the silent tears. "R-raven...didn't mean...t-tried...I tried...I p-promise I did, R-raven...too hard...c-couldn't...s-sorry. Sorry...I-I'm so sorry, R-raven...I'm so sorry..."

"Shh," Raven whispered, with all the tenderness of a mother comforting her guilt-stricken child. She gently rubbed his back as the hug was fiercely returned, regret more powerful than any word raging through his body, as strong as the fever. "I know, Robin. It's ok..."

He tensed slightly, falling silent at her words. Then a whisper, barely audible, reached her ears. "Richard..."

Raven pulled back gently, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

He held her gaze; a glistening tear slipped down his cheek, adding to the pain in his features. "My name is Richard Grayson," he replied; almost robotic in comparison to his former broken speech.

Raven's eyes widened slightly, surprise clear on her face. Richard...? It had occurred to her that Robin must have, at the very least, a last name, but now that she knew it... Before her eyes was a person, completely human and mortal, a teenager dressed in a superhero costume. He had a name. He had feelings, hopes, dreams. He would bleed, just like anyone else. What she was looking at...was a soul, beaten to the point of death. The knowledge left her head reeling in a tailspin, mind blank and filled to the exploding point at the same time. No, not Robin. Richard Grayson. A complete stranger.

Her gaze burned him, saying so clearly what he had known all along...

I am not the one you loved--
I die inside, but know it--
I am not your hero, Angel
He vanished long ago
Gunned down by greed, hatred...

Indifference

I never knew, never gave thought
To the precious gem, all mine
Until I lost her

The heavy silence between them was shattered like glass as the metal door was blasted out of its frame, skidding along the floor to crash against the wall. Sparks flew from the destroyed electronics as a looming shadow slowly materialized into the self-appointed leader of the Teen Titans, Beast Boy in his wake.

"Raven, get away from him!" the changeling yelled, hands balled into fists as his normally kind green eyes burned with fury.

"Get out of the way, Raven." Cyborg's voice was eerily calm, gaze fixed on Robin as the sonic cannon hummed to life.

Their former leader stared emptily back at them, no sign of resistance; the credit due to more than his inability to stand much less fight. Submission was clear in his eyes, resignation etched into every feature, and a hint of something that might have been relief revealed in his slumped shoulders. He was welcoming the end.

Raven quickly recovered from the shock of their intrusion, fixing the both of them with an icy glare. "And what exactly are you planning to do, if I move?"

"What our position requires us to do: see that justice is served. Criminals must be punished, like I told you before." Cyborg kept that frigid attitude, his cannon leveled at Robin's chest...or where it would have been, had Raven not been blocking it from view. The tension with which he stood said quite plainly that he would not wait much longer.

"Justice," Raven spat, voice full of contempt. "You know nothing of justice."

"Raven...please." Beast Boy's eyes darted fearfully from Raven to the gun, begging her to just move so they could end this nightmare.

"I'm going to say this one last time: Get Out Of The Way." Cyborg coolly tapped his arm, switching the cannon settings from "stun" to "kill". It was high time to sluff off the bad and make way for the good. His good.

Raven opened her mouth to protest, but a hand on her shoulder froze her tongue. She jerked her head around, locking eyes with...Richard for what felt much longer than five seconds. His eyes said everything, and her own saddened with every word she percieved...until she came to the last. Goodbye.

The boy who was Robin gently pushed her away and out of the line of fire, the fleeting glimpse of a smile meant only for her eyes. "Thank you, Raven. For everything." Blue eyes closed for a moment, a steadying breath meant to calm the frantic beating of his heart, soon to be forever silenced...then he turned to face the mouth of the cannon, no fear, anger, or regret in his eyes. The remnants of old beliefs were completely in harmony with the half-robot's reasoning; he was a criminal, and criminals must recieve due punishment. In some ways, death was more a gift than a punishment, anyway. But...Richard desperately wanted to see his parents again, even though he knew, with a stab of agonizing regret, that they were not where he was going.

So this was what true failure felt like.

Please, please just
Let me die

Cyborg nodded in a satisfied way, taking advantage of the clear shot provided by Raven's absence. Beast Boy made no move to stop him, but slowly turned away, unwilling to watch something his heart told him was wrong. One blast, and it would all be over...

"NO!" Her mind screamed, but her mouth remained silent. "Don't! You can't! NO!" Raven hastily calmed herself, chanting her mantra silently, but holding the magic back, stored away and at her disposal. A shield would stop the blast with ease, and she could handle whatever came next... "I told you it's not too late, and I meant that!"

Tension pulsed in the air, electricity sparking through all of them as the cannon's hum grew louder and higher-pitched by the second, storing energy...it was almost ready...Cyborg's human eye looked almost as artificial as its companion as he prepared to fire.

Leave me, I deserve it
Abandon me, I understand
Kill me, I'll thank you
Just please, I beg you

A siren loud enough to wake the dead blared through the tower, making all four jump as an orb of black magic collided with the bookcase and the sonic blast burned through the wall just above Robin's head. Shock held them all frozen for a moment as screech after screech pounded against their eardrums, warning of danger.

Cyborg glared coldly at Robin, chest heaving and eyes narrowed as his mind fought between what he wanted to do and what he should do. The latter eventually won, and with a hasty, "Titans, go!" he raced out into the hallway, closely followed by Beast Boy. Raven and Robin were alone once again.

His breathing was ragged, his eyes wide and downcast. Raven could see disappointment clearly written in every feature. He might not have voiced it, but everything about him was screaming for that blast, aching for that killing blow... It felt as though someone had cut open her heart. "Ri..." She cleared her throat, and tried again, the word strange on her lips. "Richard...?"

Don't show me love

He shook his head, jerking a shaking hand across his cheek. No more words...he was through with them. "Go...help them. They...they need y-you."

Raven nodded slowly, then surprised him by pulling his arm over her shoulder and helping him stand. He was too weak to resist, so she supported him into the hallway where the others had disappeared, noticing vaguely how much heat his sickly body radiated...

Don't show me love

The empath stumbled backward, losing her grip on Robin as he tumbled to the floor. The very ground beneath their feet shook from the aftershock of the explosion as smoke pushed its way into their lungs and burned their eyes. It slowly cleared, revealing the dark outlines of Cyborg and Beast Boy. But who--?

A chilling voice crept from the smoke, quiet but so loud, sending a shiver of fear through one in particular. "I have come for my apprentice."

Don't show me love

Well...there you have it. Nearly killed myself writing this...just thought you might ponder that while reviewing me. -wink wink nudge nudge- Included a lovely little phrase from The End, part 1...any Star/Rob supporter that still thinks there have never been Rob/Rae hints is either pea-brained or incredibly good at pretending. Anywho...extremely exhausted, and yet already thinking about the third chapter...Peace -yawn- out -sniff-...-Dusty