Disclaimer: As you all should know I don't own Teen Titans or anything related to it, and for the record I don't own anything of Batman either. If I did I wouldn't be writing this thing

Summary: Trouble brews as Raven finds her emotions spirally out of control! Desperately trying to keep in check she does the unthinkable, she leaves the Titans to … start a business career? However not all is as it seems, Raven may think she found a loop hole in Fate's design, but Fate's about to send her a rude awakening.

A/N: By the way, if you failed to read the comment made before you pressed the linky button, this is a Rob/Rav ficcy, don't like don't read, simple as that. For those of you staying hope you enjoy this chapter.

--

Of Dreams and Announcements

She was pinned (literally) to a spinning round wall wearing attire that left nothing to the imagination. Consisting of a one-shoulder loose cloth top that was barely big enough to cover her chest, then a short skirt that barely went low enough to cover her upper thighs. In clothing like this a girl either had to feel very uncomfortable, or was in the teasing mood. Especially if you are chained to a wall wrist, ankles, and neck all alike, and not to mention in front of a full crowd of people with roaming eyes. It was rather disturbing and nerve wrecking, but for her it was nothing.

She stayed there, helpless, but most certainly not willing to show any fear in front of her audience … or rather his audience. Stepping out from the tent in the back she listened as the crowd suddenly cheered and clapped at his introduction by the ringmaster. She just sat there seething with rage burning deep in her eyes, oh how she so wanted to kill him, him and her partner for this little tirade. Even if she willingly volunteered for this assignment, she only did it cause a stunt like this tripled her payment, as long as she got her money she was satisfied. Besides, as much as it pained her to say it, even think it, Red-X, was an expert marksman.

"… now please, once more, show your love for our brave assistant, Raven Roth!" Raven held her head high, as the crowd cheered, screamed, and clapped for her. Although, she wasn't looking at them … she was looking dead point at a smirking Red-X who had turned to her and flashed his lethal trademark weapon, the red X. Sharp and lethal to the point of death, Raven just glared a glare that said "Do your worst".

The ringmaster, however, oblivious to the non-verbal, non-physical quarrel that was held behind him continued once the crowd simmered down, "Now … if you please, complete and utter silence, you must let Red-X concentrate other wise it might mean the end for the fair maiden … Jo-Jo, spin the wheel!"

Beside Raven to her right was a monstrous caveman that grunted and growled as he grabbed the wheel. Taking a deep breath Raven prepared to spin to oblivion. But before the world went into a spiral she saw Red-X smirk widen, showing her more exes behind the one. Releasing her breath the iron cuff to her neck held her from a whiplash as the world disappeared into a sudden blur. THU-THU-THU-THU-THUMP! He fired all five and they all missed her person as she spun still at the maximum speed the caveman had spun her. THU-THU-THU-THU-THU-THUMP! Red-X fired six this time as he saw the wheel slow to a crawl. Fanning out another set he fired without a care hoping that he at least made a dent in the ravenous bird he so wanted to tame. Yet when the wheel stopped and she was at a bit of a tilted angle the look she stared with had only deepened. Now holding a deadpanned look, Red-X's smirk vanished to be replaced with a look of fury.

Nothing, everything he had thrown at her made no dent in her mask of indifference. No fear, no nothing, that just ticked him off. As the crowd behind him cheered and screamed in unison, it was all-deaf to him as he fiddled with the last ex in his hand. He saw her luminous violet eyes travel down to said hand, only to travel back up to its master. That's right little Raven, he thought with a smirk; Let's see how brave you are now.

Inwardly Raven was laughing, although she kept a straight face she couldn't help to mock him. Moving only her lips she taunted, "I dare you."

This enraged Red-X greatly as he raised his ex and the crowd grasped to silence. He threw it, Raven made no move to try and block, cringe or hide from it, she just stayed put with a stoic expressing. TRHUMP! This one went deep and straight to the right side of her face. It itched, in fact she could have swore she felt a trickle of liquid run down her cheek. But she kept her eyes solely in Red-X seeing him react to her non-reaction satisfied her greatly. The confusion, the fear, and the bewilderment was enough to bring a smirk to her face …

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Raven squeezed her eyes tightly shut as if to help drown out the senseless pounding on her door that had woken her out of her slumber. To her dismay the pounding continued, followed with an all to familiar innocently naïve Starfire plea.

"Please friend Raven, the Earthen Sun as risen high in the sky and wishes to greet you, as do your fellow Titans. Please, grace us with your presents."

Holy damn, if that sweet voice and sugar coated tone wasn't enough to get Satan to drop to his knees and beg forgiveness of his sins Raven wouldn't know what is. As it were, Starfire was the most sugary girl Raven has ever met on her stay on Earth. Still is after all the crap they've been through.

Sitting up on her bed and string dazed at her door she sighed, what time was it? Judging by Starfire's description it must have been late in the day. This fact disturbed her, she wasn't a late person, neither was she a morning person, getting up early was one of her strong points. Furrowing her brows she ran a hand from her forehead back through her hair.

Suddenly flashes of her dream poured into her unsettled mind, what was with that dream, why had she dreamt of Red-X in that way? On the matter, why had she dreamt of him at all? She had to meditate on it, find the answer cause like it or not it unnerved her. The knocking continued, she sighed again in agitation, why did she get the feeling this day wasn't going to end well?

"Friend Raven? Are you up? Please if I am disturbing your sleep I apologize greatly, but Robin had announced a meeting and I do believe it is urgent. Friend Raven are you alight?"

Raven took a deep breath and shook her head wanting so much to say no, and tell Robin to fly away and go chirp up a storm elsewhere. However, unfortunately she knew she couldn't do that; it was her duty as a Titan so reluctantly she answered Starfire in the most exasperating tone she could muster, "I will be up in a moment Starfire, and yes I'm fine."

"So I am happy to hear, I shall tell the others, please be brief." With that Starfire floated down the hall, leaving Raven to shake her head and float out of bed.

Fixing it telekinetically she turned to her bathroom to take a brief shower. Never bothering to look into her mirror as she striped off her clothing and stepped into the shower. She ran the hot water and relished in the feeling of the soothing liquid run down her body, she lolled her head around with her eyes closed just enjoying the heat for a minute.

Just then a sudden strange stinging sensation on her right cheek surged through her body. Running her hand not-so-gently over it only to produce an involuntary yelp from the back of her throat. Her eyes shot open as she brought her hand back to her face to see what it was, gasping when she saw her own blood trickle down her fingers. Disappearing into the water she quickly lathered up washed up and wrapped a towel around her body before stepping out and standing in front of her mirror.

Turning her head to examine the two-inch long slash on her cheek she looked at it quizzically. But I thought it was a dream …? Bringing her hand over it she dared not touch it for fear of causing it to bleed once more. She stared into her own reflection for what seemed like forever, when it was only a few seconds before she shook her head and began to dry herself off absentmindedly before exiting to get her uniform on. All the while thinking deeply.

This isn't possibly … it was only a dream … how could I have physically gotten hurt? This don't make any sense … I hope the meeting's not to long I need to get to the bottom of Nevermore soon … letting her thoughts rest on that and clicking on her cloak and pulled the hood up to hide her face as she made her way to the door. As it slide open her head bowed, never expecting a thing. She was lost in her mind never allowing her to feel a near by familiar aura. Barely getting her foot out the door she ran into her leader, suddenly colliding with him and jerking her head back so fast her hood flew off.

"Raven." Robin stood stone still, his expression stern and as noble as his aura that to Raven suddenly flared. The look he gave her was either of disappointment or worry, neither which she couldn't tell for that mask blocked her way to into his soul. His tone was all business, "Raven, what have you been doing, Starfire informed us that you'd be down, but … where did you get that cut?"

The sudden change from stern and noble, to worried and concerned. Reaching out a hand to get a better look. Raven jerked away and quickly put her hood up, cursing her-self for her lack of guard. She answered quickly, monotonously and, convincingly, so much in fact she almost believed her own lie, "I was in the obstacle course late last night … couldn't sleep … wasn't concentrating, I apologize for my absents. Please, let us continue to the main room."

Robin's eyes through the mask narrowed in suspicion, she was lying, even if it sounded true, his detective instincts were screaming at him about how false she was. Inwardly shaking his head, he had to press on the matter later, right now he had an announcement to make, "Well then, if are to do so, make sure you don't wake up so late the next day, understand."

Now usually Rave would just up and leave, answering him silently in her own way, but she had to play the part of disobedient Titan. So she bowed her head, "Of course."

"Good … now come on, we've waited long enough." Turning around and with his cape swooshing behind him, Raven followed silently. Never letting the harsh tone he used get to her, cause right now the dream she had was getting to her core. The scratch, Red-X … what did it all mean? Red-X vanished, at least that was what they thought; he never showed his face again after that encounter. Why would she dream of him? She'd never thought of him at all through out her years.

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips unintentionally while still following Robin to the main room. Robin raised a brow and looked over his shoulder, "Something wrong Raven?"

She blinked, damn did she sigh out loud? Curses, she shook her head and showed no fault, her voice even and steady she answered, "No, Robin, everything's fine."

Robin again narrowed his masked eyes; something was bothering her he could tell from her amethyst eyes, "You sure?"

"Yes," she answered hoping against hope he would just leave her alone, couldn't he tell she didn't want to be spoken to? Guess not, gee some detective he is.

"Alright just making sure, you slept in kind-a late, it's already the afternoon," Raven blinked and looked up at Robin realizing he had slowed down to walk beside her. His masked face staring at her as of trying to read her every thought, she inwardly shuttered at his gaze. Geez those pure white "eyes" were like staring into a vast pool of nothingness, making you feel as if you were spiraling down into a black void. Funny, considering the mask was white.

Realizing she had been staring she looked away to the ground and walked the rest of the way in an uncomfortable silence. Robin sensed her uneasiness and was about to ask the problem again when he just shook his head, Never mind, she'll never say anything … I just wish she would.

--

Finally reaching the living room where the other three Titans all sat conversing smoothly, they all stopped once Robin and Raven walked in. Starfire floated up from the couch and flew to Raven stopping her in her tracks as Robin continued forward without a care, "Dear friend, what ails you? I know I have asked before, but when one stays in bed for to long it is usually when they are coming down with a sickness. Will you not tell me what is the matter?"

Raven was about to answer when Robin saved her, "Don't worry about it Star, Raven's just having a slow day."

Said girl snorted, That's the understatement of the year, try disturbed.

Starfire titled her head and looked to Robin, "I do not wish to offend, but I have not asked you a question that was solely directed to friend Raven." Robin didn't not look to happy with this answer, and neither did Raven, in fact she looked down right ready to kill something. The alien turned back to Raven and flashed a bright yet comforting smile, "Raven, please, continue."

With a sigh Raven shook her head, and from some unknown force held back the need to strangle her. Instead she asked how many times was she going to answer the same darn question? With a shrug she walked passed Starfire to the couch where on her way she answered stonily, "I'm fine Starfire, now I do believe Robin had something to say so let's listen."
Starfire smiled that million-dollar smile that reminded Raven of her royal blood on Tamaran. She truly was a girl that fit the profile of a princess, sweet, kind, caring, loving, and above all she put other's needs before her own. Raven sometimes wondered if the alien herself knew all the traits and qualities she had that screamed "girlfriend material", although her thoughts were cut short when Robin cleared his throat so every one listened up.

"Alright, this may come as a surprise to you all, and rather sudden to … but … my adoptive father Bruce Wayen has asked us all to a formal ball this weekend at Gotham City." Robin studied all their faces and saw they really were taken back, especially Beast Boy.

"Dude! You serious! You mean the Bruce Wayen, richest man on the whole freakin' planet has ask us to a party this weekend! Dude! That's unreal!"

Starfire giggled, "This Wayen you speak of, he sounds very important, tell me Robin what is the occasion?"

Cyborg cut in before Robin could answer, "Yeah man, what up? After all these years just now he wants you to come and party with him as if like old times? Sounds strange."

Robin nodded, "Yes, I know, but to be honest he has asked us to attend more than one party, all those times we missed because we were busy. I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to telling you guys, but time is business."

"You still haven't told us the occasion." Diverting his attention to the curious Raven, Robin shrugged.

"Celebrating a business merger with some other company, really has nothing to do with us, but out of sheer luck we get to go cause our schedule is finally cleared. No major crimes to really investigate." Robin answered truthfully still locking his sheathed eyes with Raven's shielded orbs. Curious to what was actually going on in that dark little mind of hers, she still looked troubled with something and being the concerned person he was. Robin had to wander what was bothering her so much. Suddenly their eye contact had broken due to Beast Boy's sudden arm around her.

"Ever since Raven here showed us what she could really do, what villain other than that metal-mental case Slade would want to mess with us? No one that's who." Grinning at Raven it fell once he saw her eyes glowing a sudden white, he gulped, "Uh … Raven?"

"Arm. Off. Now." snatching his arm from her as of it were electrocuted Raven hovered over the couch and towards the elevator disappearing behind the doors and from the Titan's views.

Turning back to his friends he jerked a thumb to the elevator, "Wow, what's eating her?"

Studying the looks on the rest of the Titan's faces Beast Boy saw that Starfire was gazing worriedly at the elevator, Robin had a serious look on his face (gee go figure), while Cyborg was shaking his head, "Sometimes BB, I question your sanity? Why you gotta' go and do the things she don't like?"

Beast Boy smirked, "Because I just love to see a reaction out from her. I mean she's so balled up. Girl got to smile more, or something."

"Regardless," Robin's sudden words or wisdom broke into the conversation, "You should already know to be careful around her … she's unpredictable, besides that. I suggest you all pack, we're leaving for Gotham tomorrow."

"Dude, I thought the party wasn't until the weekend?" Beast Boy pointed out.

Robin nodded, "Yes I know, but Bruce wants us there a few days before so we could get a acquainted with him … I was going to say it with Raven here, but it looks like I'll have to tell her myself, dismissed."

The tone in Robins voice took a whole different one when he continued after his three-second pause. It was either irritation or worry, but either one Beast Boy knew he was probably at a somewhat fault. A nudge to his side brought him out of guilt when Cyborg held up a gamestation remote and a sinister look on his face. "Prepare to die BB."

Beast Boy snatched the remote and turned to the screen that was slowly lowered and still had their game on pause, "After this, you'll be seeing a new high score tinman."

Starfire next to them squealed in glee, "Go Beast Boy! Be the tear him up! Go Cyborg; open up some more of your cans of butt kicking! Yay!"

Robin shook his head at the three as he made his way up the elevator, faintly hearing the playful bantering of his teammates he chuckled. After all their years together he was surprised at how much they haven't changed a bit where interacting with each other was concerned.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity he reached the floor where all their rooms were held and walked calmly to Raven's room. His mind suddenly changing modes, now he was serious and determined, something was up and he was going to find out. He knew that cut couldn't have been from a training course, he knew cause he was there last night and she was nowhere to be seen.

Finally reaching her room he rapped gently at first, "Raven open up … it's me, Robin."

"What do you want?" she demanded with such a cold tone that it was enough to get his skin crawl.

Standing his ground he responded smoothly, "I want to talk, now let me in."

On the other side Raven just glared at the door, Does this guy ever take a hint? Floating in mid-air having been meditating to ease her mind to rest, Robin's constant bothering was not helping one bit. "Leave Robin, I'm fine, there is no need for talk now go."

Now it was Robin's turn to glare at the door, "Raven don't give me that I know something's wrong, now stop acting so immature and let me in."

Raven glared hard burning holes into her door, how dare he. How dare he say she was immature when she was probably the most mature one in this giant T of a headquarters. By mind will alone she opened the doors and nodded an approval for a smug looking Robin to step in, once his second foot was through, the door suddenly slammed. To fast, to hard, and to sudden for his taste, looking up at the floating Raven he noticed the hood was down showing him the barely healed scratch on her face and, the look of utter annoyance on his intrusion. Her voice, icy and frosty demanded, "Speak fast or get out, you have interrupted me on an important meditation session."

Robin stood unfazed at her warning, "Okay, then let's cut to the chase, where'd you really get the cut."

Raven rolled her eyes slightly breaking her concentrative demeanor, "I have already told you I got if from the training course –"

"You're lying, I was at the course last night and you weren't there. I want the truth Raven, out with it."

She glared, "Why do you care?"

"You're under my responsibility as the leader of this team, what happens to you matters to me." Robin answered truthfully.

If it was possible Raven's glare sharpened almost to the point where Robin could feel her actually drilling holes into his cranium, "To be quite frank Robin I could care less, now if you please, the door is right behind you."

Robin shook his head, "No, you still haven't given me an answer."

"And I don't think I should." Raven fought back.

Don't do this Raven, I'm only trying to help here. Robin thought exhaustingly, while he matched her glare and tone, "Raven, this a direct order, answer me."

She looked ready to snarl, growl, punch, kick, scream, and even kill him at that moment when he saw her lip curl up in a sneer. For some miracle or another she remained calm and told him in a steady voice, "I got it from a dream, and that is all I'm going to tell you."

Robin sighed, he figured as much. Where Raven was concerned it was always so hard to just talk her when – just as Beast Boy says – she was always so balled up. So tight that not even an atomic bomb could get to her, turning to leave the door swished open, but before he exited he turned and said, "By the way, pack your things, tomorrow we leave for Gotham."

Expecting her to question him, all he got was a raised brow, another go figure as he stepped out the door and it slammed shut behind him. Every time the team went through something catastrophic that would bring them together and test their loyalty. They'd always come through and get stronger in bonding, Robin often found himself wondering if it was possible that it would have been easier to talk to everyone about all their pastes and secret. This was true for most, but Raven remained the same, never telling, never trusting, and always keeping to herself. Robin was troubled and, he wouldn't admit it, but hurt. Didn't she trust them, after all they've went through she was still so stubbornly enclosed.

Robin stopped in the middle of the hall his brows furrowed together as he contemplated his current unsolved mystery: Raven Roth.

Okay, chilax my friends and give me a break this is my first Teen Titan ficcy, so drop me a comment and tell me what'cha think.