Disclaimer: Don't own it. Would like to. Stop asking.

A/N: Just like to point out, the title here says, And if it Was. I don't know why, But on the list, it's called, Things I'll Never Say. Sorry if it confuses you. But I like both titles, and didn't realize I did that until it was too late. nervous laughter

Title: And if it was?

Chapter: 3: What did He Do?

o0o

Aqualad had fallen back, as the emotion attached to her memory collided with his mental readings. He felt his heart break in two as trauma caused him to tremble.

Raven, after realizing what had happened, mentally slapped herself, and went to aid her fellow telepath. She bent over him as he enveloped himself on the floor, "Aqualad. A-Are you alright?" Raven tried to look him in the eyes. They were fogged, and he was looking at her with a terrified gleam of the eyes.

"Ra-Raven," He clutched her forearm in a way that sent her levies back, as the flow of tears erupted. She let out what seemed like a cry and a choke in response, "What did he do to you?"

He asked as though he didn't already know. It pained her as the image flashed through her mind again, and she collapsed.

o0Robin0o

I was a fool. Instead of comforting her, and tending to her injuries, I interrogate her. I always act like such a moron, but it wasn't like I ever thought straight when it came to Raven anyway.

When we rescued her from Slade's lair, she was so vulnerable, it scared me. So I wanted to know everything he did. I felt protective over her, and I don't know what got into me. The logical thing would have been to make sure she wasn't fatally injured…

I won't make that mistake again. I swear. I'd die for her. But now I'm concentrating on taking her safely to the med. lab. I lay her down on the table, and I put a blanket underneath her. I'd expect her to start to hover gracefully over it, to tell us she was healing the way her powers allowed her to, but she just lay there…

I ask everyone to leave, and they do. Aqualad takes one last glance at her, and my jaw clenches. I don't know why, but I don't like the way he looks at her. But then he's gone, and my attention is turned back fully on the one I care for most.

"Raven," I call to her softly, taking her hand in mine as I sit on the armchair beside her. But she doesn't stir, I look at her chest and it's hardly moving. I look at her status, and it says her heart rate is normal, but she looks almost dead as I watch the glow leave her cheeks, and the hollows are visible over the hours, "Raven," I repeat her name hoarsely, "Please. Please, be alright."

o0o

Dawn approaches, and Robin finally exits the room. He promises her that he would be absent for only a moment, just to get his morning coffee so he wouldn't fall asleep on her.

Surprisingly, as Robin had left, someone had come in his place. Mysteriously arriving just as the Boy Wonder left his view.

Aqualad quietly shut the door behind him as he crept beside her, "Raven," He spoke clearly and worriedly, "I know you can hear me. If I have to, I'll read your thoughts again."

Her mind told him, and would you start to cry again?

The handsome Atlantian snorted shortly, "I'll take the risk," He spoke aloud, as if trying to keep her connected to this panel of her being. He knew if he didn't keep her here, by letting her hear his voice, she would probably detach herself from them entirely. He knew he and a certain other wouldn't be able to handle that. So he kept talking, even if it was about something intense, or something completely random, he didn't want her to sway, "How long was Robin in here anyway?"

I don't know. He should sleep… Tell him it isn't healthy… And… It's… A waste of energy, watching me… Like… This…

She paused a lot. He knew she was probably still asleep, still on that plane, and he was only able to contact her through telepathy, "I'm sure he doesn't think his time is being wasted," He chuckled inwardly, as her brows furrowed, "Erm. Never mind…"

He stopped laughing, and the silence between them grew awkward, "Raven… Tell me what he did to you."

You saw it… Please. Don't…

He saw a tear creep from the side of her shut eyes, and he felt guilty, "I'm sorry… But," He paused, racking his brain for the right thing to say, "I hate him for it, you know… But the fact that he could- That he could do that… Raven," He said her name as if it comforted him, as if he thought clearer with the thought of her, "I'm sorry… Forget it."

They were quiet again, and then he heard her again, I was powerless… But… Just forget it, you're right…

Aqualad nodded, and stood to leave before he was caught.

Aqualad. Wait. He turned around, restraining the urge to touch her, to comfort her, Please. Don't tell Robin. He'll hate me… If he knew… He… I… Aqualad thought for a moment, and nodded obediently, and somehow, she knew he would keep his word, even if he said nothing more as he left. He knew what she meant. He wanted to tell her it wasn't her fault. He wanted to say no one could ever hate her, obviously, not even a villain. But he didn't. And he could smack himself later.

o0o

Robin came back only seconds after Aqualad had left, he had her herbal tea in hand, even though she wasn't awake, he found it comforting to at least smell the same things he loved to smell in the quieter times he shared with the empath.

"Raven. I brought your tea… It's chamomile," Robin smirked half-heartedly and slumped deep into the chair beside her resting body, "Raven," He touched her hand, and she felt warmer. It's strange how an innocent gesture can feel so wrong and yet so comforting. She smiled slightly and quickly, and he knew he had her back, "Here," He waved the mug over her nose, letting the aroma float around until she spoke.

"Help prop me up, I don't think it's too much of a good idea for me to pull anything," Raven slightly demanded, but in a polite and questioning way. Her voice was coarse even if she had spoken just twelve hours ago. With her question, he heard her ask if he approved her moving at all. She got her answer as he slipped his hand under her neck, and the other was circled over her side to push against the bed, then he repositioned her pillow as she tried to pry herself up by the elbows with an exasperated sigh.

"Don't push yourself," He said it sternly, his brows furrowed but she simply scoffed.

"I'm fine, mother. I just hate feeling so useless," She tried gripping the handle of her mug, only to have it pulled away by the worrywart she had watching over her all the time.

"Let me," She would never, never under any other circumstance have let anyone else feed her, but she didn't really have a choice. She somewhat believed that her tea helped her heal, a bit stupid for someone who could heal herself at will. Well, except for right now. He raised the cup to her lips, but did it extremely slowly, "You don't need to tease an ill person," she quipped, yet he was still cautious.

"It might burn your lips," Robin looked at the steam scrutinizingly as it rose from the calm brown liquid.

"It's fine. Can I please have my tea now?" She laughed at his nurturing ways as the hours passed still. He was over thinking everything he might allow her to do.

o0Author's Note0o

Yeah… Not much going on here. Just like to apologize for that, it will probably progress slowly. Like to add I'll probably update every Monday, the only day I don't have after school stuff tear. This would be better if I did have such a bad Goddamn cold! But I was happy with it, Just listened to Buried Myself Alive over and over again. I know, I know, rock music and a headache, smart.

Appreciation:

SweetNCrazieSugarmuffin: From now on, can I thank you by writing Bria? Heh, not that your s/n isn't awesome, but it's very long (;) And thank you so much for the review, and for spreading the word. You rock.

Birdsonthebrain: First off, I love your name. Birds… Raven and Robin! And thank you, I don't feel worth all these kind reviews! Few are plenty.

Terra Rock: Uhm… Thanks for your comments… I don't understand the adding/removing from your favorites thing, though. I mean, I understand what you're saying, but what's the reason. Not that it concerns me, but I don't need to know whether or not I am good enough to stay on your favorites list. (Sorry if I mistook what you meant)

Violetx3: Thank you. Okay, this response may possibly be as long as your review! cracks knuckles You are right, he won't be finding out anytime soon, at least that's what I'm planning for, but my stories never really listen to me much. What happened is really traumatic, especially when it's from an enemy, she fears he would hate her if he found out, more than she fears what happened. Her emotions, as said in the first chapter, aren't as under control as they would usually be, thus the tears are becoming more familiar to her. Thank you for the review! I love long ones, it shows you took the time to analyze it all.

Ravenrouge19: Thank you, thank you. That's great that someone will review when they read something, it puts confidence into their writing. Me? I'll definitely review the ones I like… I don't know, sometimes if I don't like the story, I don't review because I don't want to be cruel… Is that wrong?

Kisha: Heh, I understand completely about that Raven thing, it's like she isn't the tower of strength she always seems to be, it let's you see her for real. And about the chocolate, I'm the same way. Mostly because Sunako loves chocolate, but that's a different story Will update sooner with chocolate!