I'm Baaaaack(gee, kinda kreepy, no?) Spring break is interesting…I actually have been getting up really early in the morning to watch shows like captain planet….its like reliving my childhood or something…its weird…I need to stop….BUT I CANT BWAHAHAHAHA….. ok yeah…sorry, let me continue with this, because I am sure (and this is a big assumption on my part) that you guys don't want to hear me blabber but that you actually want to read the story…well, you gotta be patient, because I must talk to my reviewers (and if you must know…I love you guys!)

Crystalshine—Eeie! I'm so happy you're happy…hell, I'm happy I'm happy. I figured that it might as well happen. I mean, it was only a kiss…hehe

Chica de los Ojos Café—Yes, yes very much indeed….or was it….dun dun duuuuun! Yeah, I gotta have some sorta mysterie some where don't i. So I wont exactly answer that hidden question…yet….

RavenDarkSorceress—Not quite sure if I'm going to KILL anyone….but all the same…when you got some free time, tell me, and we'll grab a couple of pitch forks or something, k? lol…you have no idea how bad I want to do that…but no…..:Sobs: That's ok, tho, u always get me laughin

DarkDeamon3—Patience! I'm so sorry I'm making you wait…and if you people aren't smart and reading all of this, I might as well make it obvious I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE MY SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER! Got it? So be anxious no more…I will decide!

Zicora—YOU'RE so GREAT! You're reviews are AWESOME, (if you guys haven't realized that I really like typing that word….:Shakes head:) Your last one so got me in the mood to write..so inspirational….you know what…THIS CHAPTER'S for You! Just for that…yeah. Issues, I know… I like the nighttime

Otakualways—HAHAHAHAHA! I feel the same exact way!

The Wings of Raven—Thank you very much!

What Drove Me to Madness

Chapter 5—Night

If tears could fall from my eyes right now, I'm sure they would. I don't feel so good anymore. I feel sick, it's hard to think straight. Hazy thoughts are mixing with so many other things. My stomach is throbbing. I can hear whispers from the outside world. Death keeps wrapping around whatever they are pumping through my veins. It wants to stop it so badly. Is that why I'm sick? I think there's something in my arm. I want to pull it out. I haven't felt the touch of skin since you left me. I can smell chemicals, taste the latex in the air. Death is so much more comforting, embracing me for who I am. It calls me to a final and eternal peace.

But, no. It's coming now. The memory, no matter how hard I try to suppress it. This one is the one that I'll forever cherish. Forever hate.

We're so close to the end. Just listen to me for a little longer.

(Back)

Raven looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes the only thing truly visible underneath the white, soapy foam. A washcloth sat beside her wet toothbrush, ready to be used for the night. She didn't look any different, but everything felt different, better.

Every time she closed her eyes she saw blue neon lights.

The sound of the door squeaking open caused her to bring reality back into perspective.

"We have got to stop meeting like this," Raven said.

Robin laughed as he walked over to one of the other sinks. "What can I say? I'm only in here to brush my teeth." He proceeded to squirt a strip of toothpaste on his tooth brush, wetting under the running faucet before saying, "So you're finally getting off the rest of the cotton candy, are you?"

It was seriously times like these that she was thankful her face was hidden by a mass of soapy bubbles. Actually, this was the only time she was glad to be covered in bubbles and in front of some one, but that wasn't the point. She ran some water over her washcloth and began to rinse off her face.

She was beginning to walk out of the door when Raven spit his toothpaste in the sink and said, "Hold on a second. I want to talk to you."

It's nothing, she said to her suddenly pounding heart. It means nothing. Stay calm. This isn't you.

He walked over to her. "About tonight, on the Ferris Wheel…"

"Oh. Sometimes heights do that to you. I really—"

His lips pressed against hers, silencing her. "Please, I don't want to talk in here. Come with me." Raven nodded. He grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. She barely managed to hold of an embarrassed smile as he pulled her from the bathroom to his bedroom.

It was definitely a boy's room. Despite Robin's neatness, in one corner, there was a clothes pile. No pictures adorned his walls, no mementos or anything to remind him of anything. Training supplies were scattered around the room in various intervals.

He let go of her hand and began to pace.

"Why did I kiss you?" he asked suddenly.

She paused, her eyebrows furrowing. "What!"

"I'm asking you why I kissed you. Do you know?"

Raven stared at him blankly.

"It goes along with so many questions. Why is it that when in a group, I'm compelled to stand next to you? Why is it that when we're alone, I have so many thoughts and nothing to say? Why is it that, before I fall asleep, I'm wondering if you're alright or not. Why do I feel closest to you but say the least? Why is it that you haunt every thought I have?" He took a deep breath.

Raven shook her head, signifying that she knew naught. Her eyes were wide.

"You feel nothing the same, do you?"

"Robin, yes! I—" Hell. Words weren't going to be enough here. Without thinking, she stepped up to him and kissed him.

Fear flooded through her for a split second when nothing happened. Oh, what had she done?

He kissed her back with as much passion and fervor as she had given, maybe more. She was lost in bliss. Happiness, an emotion she rarely felt, was pouring over her like rain, filling her mind till she was thoughtless but of the kiss.

Raven pulled away, gasping, "Robin," before he leaned back in.

His arms wrapped around her waist and traveled up and down her back as she clung to his shoulders. Her cape dropped to the floor with a faint slither of cloth. One step, then another. He kissed her face with a passion, her nose, cheeks, closed eyes, back to her lips. Another step. Another. Another.

He helped her sit on his bed, never breaking their embrace. Cold fear mixed with excitement rushed from her stomach to her chest and down her arms and back. A nervous giggle rose unbidden from her throat, and he pulled away, smiling. He whispered her name in her ear. She shuddered.

Somewhere in the midst, the clothes started dropping. Her thoughts here were vague and scattered. She remembered seeing his ungloved hands and admiring for the first time the last touch of boy in them. When he reached to pull down one of her sleeves she laughed and said, "No! Don't look!"

"Embarrassed?"

"Slightly." Her cheeks were reddening by the second.

He pulled it down anyway and kissed her neck, and then down to her shoulder. Her hands splayed across his bare chest, most thoughts of embarrassment leaving.

A laugh. A sigh. The shifting of blankets. A kiss. A whisper.

"I love you," he said.

She was quiet. She kissed him, and all words were forgotten.

(Present)

If that was only the end of it. If that was the last that I ever had to deal with, I wouldn't be here. I would be safe. Maybe. I would be in your arms. Maybe. I would be able to tell you that I love you. Maybe.

Raven, please. Just listen to me. I know, Raven, I know. Please come back.

You're so choosy. You have Star. Go to her.

I said I'm fine. Tell her I'm fine.

Always concerned about her. And you should be. Just one more story and I'll go.

Star, we can't do anything. I know we need her.

Ah, it's not an I thing. My strings attached to this world are slowly being snipped. You only hold a choice few more.

Raven…

I'm not going anywhere.

I can't take this. Just go.

Another line lost. I'm in too deep now. If only you could hear my pleas. Then again…

I'm listening, now.

If only you didn't.

Yeppers peppers, and that's the show. Well, sorta…I think there's one more to go. Sorry all you lemon lovers. I decided to stick with PG-13…yeah. Might as well…Mebbie later, and in a different story…I suck at romance so mebbie never. Yah, newayz, please review and boost my moral! It's late, and I'm awake!