Thank you everyone for the great reviews, it's a real confidence builder, and the way things are going, ha, I kind of need it.

So it looks like I'm pretty much updating every Saturday, for anyone that cares to mark it down... Special Thanks to SweetNCrazieSugarmuffin for being a beta reader on this chapter! If anyone else wants to get in on being a beta reader, just let me know by review or email.

That afternoon was as uncannily quiet as the previous, ad infinitum. Starfire lay stretched on the couch staring wearily out the window. Like Robin, she'd forgotten about having fun in the Tower. She and Beast Boy had engaged in several video games, Cyborg had thrown up his arms in frustration after trying to explain his baby's engine, and she had tried every recipe she could with the available ingredients. She now sighed and stroked Silkie idly. She was left with her own thoughts.

"Beast Boy," she began. He was sitting at the other end of the couch playing a small portable game. "Did we not leave this room in a much less inhabitable condition last night?"

"Uhn."

"I do not recall it being restored to its current glory prior to our nightly retirement."

"Uhn."

"Who do you imagine—"

"Gah! I was so close!"

"Beast Boy, I am talking to you!" Starfire sat up quickly, sending Silkie rolling towards Beast Boy. He gave her a look of confusion and got up and moved to the chair. "I shall take these inquiries to Robin; he always listens."

She never did find him, however. Robin was carrying out his secret mission. He had just finished going through some photo albums and was now seeking out Raven. He had every intention of not being seen. On a whim, the Boy Wonder decided first to check the gym and was rewarded.

Raven was listening to ambient music and was less a cape and boots. She sat on a mat and was going smoothly from one stretch to another. Yoga, Robin thought. Well, she does rely a lot on meditation to keep her powers under control. He was watching her routine from the gym control room; she wouldn't likely look up and notice him there. Her eyes remained closed for the entire session, her face completely serene, though still not smiling. Robin was impressed by how flexible she was.

He reflected on her fighting style against criminals. She used heavily her mystic abilities, not contact. Robin was finding himself hard pressed to think of many punches thrown at anyone but Beast Boy. Maybe, one day, he'd start her sparring, see where it leads.

As his eyes idled, his mind went back to the photo albums. In tune with her powers, her shadow in every shot seemed thicker than anyone else's, almost tangible. She was always just a bit distant from the main focus, standing off to the side, under a tree. She was not smiling in a single one. While there were countless pictures of combinations of his teammates in various states of contact—wrestling, hugging, bumping—none included a willing Raven. As in battle, she never initiated contact, not even affection. Robin thought on this, then turned away and left to do more sleuthing, which was really a shame because Raven was about to do gymnastic exercises.

Walking down the hall to his bedroom, he had to pass by Raven's. He paused in front of it, stuck in thought. He knew all the codes, so he could take advantage of her occupation and sneak a look. Of course, Raven was a very private, not to mention dangerous, person. He had a right as the team's leader to not have anything kept from him, however his position also obligated him to respect and trust his team. He settled for sighing in resignation and leaning his head against the heavy door, eventually slumping to the ground.

"I don't even know her favorite color," he said pessimistically. "I could assume it's black, or purple, but that's not knowing…"

"Yo, Rob, who you talking to, man?" Cyborg interrupted his solitude.

Robin smiled half-heartedly. "No one, I didn't think anyone was listening."

"You got something to talk about? I'm here." Cyborg eased onto the floor across from him. "Shoot."

"Can you promise to keep a secret?" The Boy Wonder was well aware of the close bond the Tin Man had with Raven. He treated her like his little sister; he would do anything to protect her.

Cyborg eyed his leader suspiciously. "This is about Raven, isn't it?"

"Your instincts are right on."

The older teen chuckled. "Instincts didn't have a thing to do with it. I found you monologue-ing in front of her room. Not to mention that display this morning."

"What about this morning?"

"The whole breakfast thing. You two standing there, cooking together—"

"It reminded me of parents cooking for kids after a sleepover," Beast Boy cut in. He was wandering around the tower, Game boy in tow, scarcely looking up from it. "You had this weird mom-and-pop vibe. It was creepy." He paused before going around a corner. He glared at Robin for a moment, and then continued walking.

"Where were we?" Cyborg was still looking where Beast Boy had been, concern on his face.

"I was skirting the real issue and you were telling me how nice breakfast was."

"Yeah, Raven makes a mean good waffle, but enough of that. You got something to say, so say it. I promise it won't go further than me, here and now."

"Alright, alright… Let me think of how I want to say it," he mumbled. He rubbed his chin and bit his bottom lip. "I… I don't know Raven. It's starting to bother me."

"So what's keeping you from getting to know her?"

"She is!" Robin burst out frustrated. "No, what I mean to say is, she's done such a thorough job of putting up barriers, I'm not sure how to go about it."

"Have you tried the direct approach? If Raven is anything, she's honest. She may seem scary, but…" Cyborg studied Robin's expression. "Just pay attention to her, Rob. You'll start to get her. It's slow and subtle, but she's not as mysterious as she's let you believe. She's part demon, but the other part is human." He began to get up and continue on his business. He'd been on his way to get Raven to help him with his car.

"Hey Cy, just one more thing..." Robin was getting ready to carry on himself. "Do you know what her favorite color is?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He chuckled.

"Please? I'll leave you alone after this."

"Alright, I'll tell ya." Cyborg paused, raising the anticipation. "Red." A simple, three-letter word, and he walked away.

Robin looked down at his uniform. Red… huh…

She quietly carried about her business, morning after morning. Several hours could go by taking care of her family in her particular fashion. She never thought to complain, never sought praise. She wanted her family to be less of this worry, to be as comfortable as she could indirectly help them to be. They deserved so much more from her, but this was a start.

One particular morning, she was doing the team's laundry—no small feat. Beast Boy nearly always had a food stain where there wasn't a grass stain by the time he passed his uniforms down the chute. Starfire was gentle to her uniforms, but there was the odd splotch of make-up or zorkaberry that proved to be difficult. Raven had become accustomed to checking all folds of Robin's uniform to ensure 'vital' evidence didn't get dropped down with it. Though Cyborg boasted little in clothing, he made up for it in shop towels.

Robin's was the last load to go into the wash that morning. Before adding the final suit to the machine, she paused, reminisced. She recalled the time he'd been away in some Asian country, seeking training. They'd all thrown away their senses and put on his uniform. She remembered the way the spandex hugged her, the way she was the one it best fit. The memory was so real she could smell it—then she came back to and realized she was nuzzling a tunic. She quickly threw it in the machine and shut the lid.

Raven did not very well care for the way she'd been slipping up, lately. There was no ill coming of these impulses, but still, it was unknown territory. She began folding the multiple skirts belonging to her alien friend. She used a different smelling fabric softener for each member. These smelled of vanilla and tangerines. Her green friend's smelled simply of country fresh cotton. What she added to their leader's load reminded her of fresh cut grass and sunshine.

Once each set was finished, four baskets were taken by darkness. Levitating cargo close behind, she trekked up from the laundry room to the main floor. Raven quietly placed a basket of clean laundry at the door of its rightful wearer. Satisfied that the job was done, she prepared another cup of tea and checked the clock. The sun would soon be rising, as would the other Titans, so she decided to take leave to the roof.

The sky was a mesmerizing mix of blues and pinks, not that Raven would notice. She sat 2 feet above the roof, eyes closed, chanting her mantra. The backs of her hands rested neatly against her knees, the bottom of her cape barely touched the ground. She could feel varying waves of emotion rising and settling within her mind. She could feel her heart tighten as certain emotions begged more attention. All were brought to terms.

When her soul ceased its wandering amongst other dimensions, she was able to feel the presence of another. She lowered her body to the ground, keeping her pose. He was right next to her, mimicking her ritual. He was wearing a fresh uniform.

"Et tú, Robin?" She was far from her center now, but maintained her appearance.

"I thought I might give it a shot; see what the fuss was about." He was nonchalant as usual. "Besides, the sunrise in and of itself has been spectacular."

"I'll take your word for it." She sonuded a bit irritated.

"You sure you won't crack even one lid? I'll make it worth your while…"

"How so?"

"I'll take you to a movie, your choice, my treat. Anything at all, I just wish you could see how beautiful it is."

She was tempted by the offer. A night out of the tower, and there was a new show out she was interested in.

"Just look before it's gone!"

She grudgingly obeyed. What she saw did cause her breath to get stuck in her throat, if only for a moment. The sky was quite pink by now, the ocean reflecting it perfectly. The gentle breeze brought small waves onto the shore of their island.

"Thank you, Robin," she mumbled simply.

"So, do you want to eat here, or am I treating you to that, too?"

"Pardon me?"

"You know, with the movie?"

"Robin, this isn't a date, is it?" Rave turned to him, now, serious.

"Well, no, but what would be the problem if it was? Am I that horrible to be around?"

"Cut to the chase." Her tone had turned quite annoyed.

"I just want to spend more time with you, get to know you better, like I know everyone else."

"Robin, I've been with you from the beginning, before all the others—"

"That's part of my concern. I know the least about you. Cyborg knows more than I do. Look, it's been a long time since it was just us…" He let that hang in the air.

"Sounds a bit to me like you're jealous." She got up to leave and turned to say something, but changed her mind and continued down the stairs.

Robin kicked a rock off the roof, down into the waves. Am I jealous?

Ah, Chapter 3, up and ready. Getting better? Could use improvement? I'm open to suggestion, especially since the fourth and fifth chapters I've worked up are feeling like they're stale or stagnating. Maybe I've just read them too many times, myself... Why don't I just go ahead and post them, I assume you ask? Because the week in between updates let me re-write to my heart's content. In fact, I'm writing an entirely new chapter four right now... will just bump back the two I've already written, though...