1A/N: This story will not be a long one as things will move quickly. This chapter is not as good as the first, but it really is exposition and transition so what do you expect.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, but hey, I think we all knew that already

Doors That Can't Be Closed

Chapter 2

By: FinalityLife

Raven had left the brief presence of Robin but he had not for one second left her thoughts, her concerns, but of course she realized that had been the case when it came to him for a very long time. Robin had always had a unique ability to get himself into trouble whether it was minor instances with Jonny Rancid or nearly fatal situations with...with him. The closer Raven had become to Raven since she had met him, she found herself, despite her best efforts and near perfect control of her emotions, caring deeply for the troubled young man. This is what had brought her back to her room in her half meditative, half contemplation position on her bed.

He had not recovered from his experience with the mind altering dust that had invaded his body, it was the only explanation. Nothing else could drive Robin into such a state, make him look so weak, so vulnerable. The dust had broken his body, broken his mind, and it seemed it would not relinquish its hold on him even now. It was slowly eating away at him, slowing taking away his sanity, and Raven was not sure if she could help him. She had been in his mind once but it seemed as if it had not helped him at all, only served to prolong his suffering, and now...now...she just didn't know.

Raven knew, without a doubt, that the team would never survive without Robin as their capable leader, it had been proved long ago when the H.I.V.E first made their appearance. She also hated to admit it because she knew just how selfish it sounded, but she believed, deep down, that more importantly, she didn't know if she could make it without his guidance, his unfailing belief in her, his comforting presence. With the multitude of emotions flowing through her, Raven was surprised nothing was being destroyed around her but of course she remembered one important fact. She had been blessed as of late, though she hated to think of that word in relation to herself. Half-demons were never blessed. Her powers had been in almost complete control, her emotions no longer bringing immediate wrath on some inanimate object. She almost felt like she could feel freely for brief seconds of time but she wasn't quite ready to test that theory. It saddened her to think that as she was being given this small gift, Robin was falling down. It was the balance of the universe. For one good thing, there was always some bad thing, it just happened to be made abundantly clear right in her home, right down the hall, with probably the closest person in the world to her.

He was the first one she could ever call friend, he was the first when she came to this place to not look at her strangely or question her behavior. He had simply accepted her as she was and she hated to admit it, but that truly had meant a lot to her all that time ago, it still did. It would always mean so very much to the dark empath.

Raven suddenly jumped to her feet, finally deciding that she needed to confirm something before pursuing anything. She only hoped that Cyborg was still awake. She grabbed her cloak, throwing it around her body before heading toward where she hoped he still was. She got there very quickly. Anyone who would have seen her would have thought she was rushing toward something of great importance or running from something truly terrible. She spotted Cyborg near the main energy station, sparks shooting from one of his fingers that doubled as a blow torch. He did not notice her shrouded form floating a few feet behind him. He noisily slammed the section he was working on mock dusting his hands off.

"There all fixed. What am I saying, this thing is better than ever. Boo-y..." As he was saying his trademark line he turned around to find the dark form of Raven which more than greatly surprised him. He let out a yell rather than finishing his phrase. Raven didn't even flinch nor did she say anything.

"Geez dark girl. You scared the hell out of me. I mean I know you enjoy doing that to Beast Boy but come on, why me?" Raven smirked on the inside at Cyborg's comment. He was right though he had only been joking. She truly did enjoy appearing out of nowhere and surprising the normally obnoxious prankster.

"So what can I do for you little lady? You obviously needed something if you came all the way down here this late to see me." Raven remained quiet for a few seconds, mulling over exactly how to ask what she needed. She spoke, doing her best to sound as neutral as possible, not wanting to sound as worried as she really was. Blunt and straight forward was what she decided.

"I just wanted to ask a question. Is it possible that Robin is still being affected by the dust from Slade's mask?" Cyborg's face showed nothing for a second before a strange grin crossed his face.

"Well I definitely wasn't expecting that question but there is no way Robin is still being affected. I checked him out completely, ran every test I know, hell I even created a few new tests personally to check him and he's completely clean." He paused for a second. "Why did you want to know anyway?"

"Have you not noticed him acting strangely as of late?" The words came out slightly in disbelief though Raven hid it well. How had he not noticed anything?

"Well lets see, spending almost every moment hiding in ones room...that definitely sounds like someone I know." He smiled largely as he took a shot at Raven though she only grimaced. She couldn't figure out why Cyborg seemed to not take her concerns serious at all, pretty much dismissing them from the first words.

"Look Raven, I don't see anything going on with Robin and I figured if there really was, Starfire would have already said something to all of us. You know that girl goes crazy worrying about him even if he's only sneezing." Raven couldn't help but agree with Cyborg's logic though the thought of Starfire hanging all over Robin gave her a strange feeling in her stomach. She barely noticed as Cyborg walked past her, pausing for a second next to her as he left.

"Its too late to be worrying about nothing Raven. Go to sleep. Everything always looks better in the morning," and with that, Cyborg was gone. Raven remained there for a few more seconds, finding it difficult to argue with Cyborg's words but unable to shake the feeling of wrongness that seemed to be creeping from everywhere around her. She slowly shook her head as she suddenly felt tired. Cyborg had been correct, it was time for some sleep and just maybe, in the morning, she would be greeted by a smiling Robin at the kitchen table.

Robin P.O.V:

So very cold, yet I can feel my insides burning. Once again the lights of the room burn bright yet all I can feel darkness. He came again for me, he came again to bring the suffering that only he can inflict on my very soul. The scars he has left on me have always found a way to go far deeper than any physical wound. Now, however, things have gotten worst. The lights continue to penetrate every corner of my room, yet he has not left. I can still hear his whisperings in my mind, his malevolent voice taunting me, telling me things that can't possibly be true, though I can feel a small part of me beginning to find some truth in his words.

He tells me they are all against me, that they are not truly my friends, most especially Raven. I feel myself clenching my fists tightly as I remember just how casual Raven had been, how emotionless and indifferent she had acted. Could she see nothing! My laugh sounds slightly off even to my ears. Of course she saw nothing. I must have given the bruises to myself. I must simply be acting like my usual paranoid and delusional self. She saw nothing because she just doesn't care...she doesn't care. He only agrees with me every thought. I begin slamming my skull against the wall I sit against, trying to silence the voice, despising how much my thoughts mirror his. One, twice, three times, the sound of bone crushing up against steel echoes in my room, in my head, succeeding in drowning out his laughter, but only through a few brief seconds of pain.

My whole body begins to tremble, but I have grown used to the occasional full body tremor. Though my hands shake almost constantly due to the drugs in my system, this is something far worse to withstand. Though it is my body that shakes, it is my mind that suffers. When they come, it feels as if my brain is trying to split itself in half, trying to rip its very way from my own head. I curl up as best as I can, trying to maintain some control of my limbs. Another strong tremor tears through my body, my head once again making strong contact with the metal of my wall. I see darkness for just a second in my vision, panicking instantly coursing through my entire being. The strange seizure finally stops and I scramble for control, scramble for what lies within my belt. My hand finally grips tightly around the syringe, a wave of relief passing briefly through me. I quickly inject the contents into my arm, a renewed strength and vigor almost instantly hit me. These strange "attacks" always make me incredibly tired and only the injections help keep me from embracing the darkness. I sit myself up back against the wall, resuming my careful watch of my surroundings. I now nervously fidget with a birdarang in my hand, eyes never stopping their search for the slightest movement, for the slightest sign of anything coming near me. I am afraid, I am desperate, and I feel so much resentment toward my so-called friends who blatantly refuse to see the truth and help me. Damn you, damn you all. Time continues to march forward, though nothing ever changes in a room full of light when the mind is consumed by shadow.

Reviewer Responses:

casui: Thanks for the review and glad you like the story so far. This story may not actually turn into a R/R coupling though it will focus almost entirely on the two characters. Haven't decided yet. Oh and most things will not be what they seem in this story, well at least I hope to make it that way.

lolopixie: Nice to get a review from you again since they are always good.I was quite proud of the first chapter with the way it went with Robin so I'm glad you enjoyed it.Yeah I try to avoid cliffhangers though sometimes they really do serve a great purpose.

BigBlackWoman: Yeah I've decided to continue writing this story so lets hope it all works.

Cherry Jade: Well you asked nicely for another chapter and how can I possibly say no to you. So lets hope it meets up to your standards and for the record, this story is going to be a strange one, so be prepared for anything. Peace.

evilsangel: Thanks for the review. Sorry for the delay. Lots of things been coming up lately that were completely unexpected.

Kashira Hibana: Glad you enjoyed the first chapter and of course thanks for every review you've sent me. I'm doing my best to continue one particular story that I know you can't wait for but its slow moving and I didn't like what I had done so far in the sequel so kind of back in the story board area. So I hope everything else Im writing is enough for now.

ravenrogue9: Here's the update. Hope it didn't take too long and you enjoyed this chapter.