A bit longer than chapter 3, and a whole lot better, if I may say so. I hope you enjoy! This may very well be the last chapter…I'm not sure yet. All right, let me clarify some things:
A.) Disclaimer: Don't own the Batman, the Jokerman, or the Teen Titans. If I did, then I wouldn't be writing FanFics, would I?
B.) Thoughts are in italics.
C.) Review, review, review! Flames aren't allowed; constructive criticism is allowed.
Thanks for reading this far, and enjoy!
She lay there, her thoughts racing. Why hadn't she used her powers to help Batman? Why did she have to be so scared? She was weak, letting her emotions get the better of her.
Taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind and pictured Bruce Manor. Slowly, a black aura surrounded her body, taking the shape of a raven. Instantly she was teleported into her room in the manor.
She gasped at the scene that stood before her eyes. Alfred lay on the ground, blood all around him. Kneeling down, she placed her hand firmly on his head. Her hand and eyes glowed white as she healed him, using the last of her energy.
He blinked several times as his vision returned to normal. The young girl lie by his side, apparently in a deep slumber. Gently, he picked her up and carried her to the soft, warm bed. She sighed in her sleep and pulled the covers up over herself, curling into a small ball. Smiling, he left her room and walked into the kitchen, completely forgetting the events that had taken place in the last hour.
She awoke with a start. Her mind was foggy; her vision blurred. Slowly, the memories of the past night seeped back to her. A cruel man dangling her over a rooftop. A dark figure saving her by sacrificing himself. She had been appalled, mystified by the dark man. Who had he been?
Eyes growing wide, she snapped out of the bed. She jumped out of the bed and into the dark corridor.
"Bruce! Bruce where are you?" Her only reply was silence. Thoughts poured into her head. Her idea had now been confirmed. Bruce was the dark figure, the night's own shadow, the Caped Crusader. Bruce was Batman.
Groping for control of her emotions she took and deep, even breath, calming herself greatly. She had to save him. Had to protect him like he had her. But she was too weak; she needed help. Who could she get to help her? Distressing, she paced the hallway, thoughts racing in her head.
"Who can help me? If I tell anyone, his secret will be exposed. Who? Who can help me?" The idea popped into her head. "Robin!" He was the Dark Knight's son, he should already know by now. It was too late to call; all of the other Titans would be awoken and would ask questions. Telepathically, she sent the Boy Blunder a distress call, hoping he would respond.
"Robin! I need your help…your father….he's been taken by a clown villain!" She was basically screaming in her head. Would he get the message? Was he mad at her and not respond?
The next few seconds were Hell. She knew that as a mortal that it would take him longer to receive her thoughts…but this seemed like forever. Finally, thoughts that were not hers flooded into her mind.
"Raven, are you okay? What do you mean clown villain? The Joker? Do…do you already know who my father is?…"
"Yes! He's Batman! I don't know who he was….but he kidnapped me….and…and….then he made a deal with Batman, my life for him….Robin, I don't know what else he could possibly do! Please help! Please!" She was so distraught that even her thoughts were pleading and scared sounding. Several light bulbs cracked and china could be heard shattering. It was like she was a little girl again, unable to control her emotions, breaking everything in sight.
"Calm down, Raven! Calm down! I'll be there as soon as I can…all right? You know how reckless I drive." With this, their telepathic conversation ended as she fell to the ground in a protective heap. She began rocking back and forth, sobbing uncontrollably, head between her knees. All seemed hopeless. Soon, the man who had taken her under his fatherly wing would have his identity shown to the entire city…the entire country…and he could possibly be murdered. Why did this always happen to her? Whenever she got close to someone, they would be punished. They would be hurt.
Robin raced back to the city of darkness, exceeding the speed limit. He didn't care, though. His father, his adoptive father, the man who had taken him in was in trouble. And Raven….poor, forlorn, frail Raven. He couldn't imagine the psychological traumas she had been through in the past month. Worrying, he hoped he could get to the manor before she did anything she would regret. Anything he would regret.
He was beginning to see the outline of the city against the dramatic night sky. His heart skipped a few beats. Here it was-the city he had left…deserted. Painful memories resurfaced as he faced the dark city, but he pushed them back into the black corners of his mind. Right now, all he was worried about was Raven and his father. The revealing of a superhero's identity didn't seem like much to most people, but it really was a big deal. Arch nemesis's of the hero could use the tasty bit of info for their own twisted need. It was a good way to get yourself killed. Especially in Gotham, the most dangerous place in the world for a hero who wanted his identity a secret.
He rammed the rusting gates of the mansion open and sped into the driveway. Taking the beauty of the Gothic mansion in, he stared at the approaching door. Sooner than he wanted he would have to face them all. Face all of his memories. The good and the bad.
He pounded on the door, but was given no answer. Banging the door open, he ran into the darkness of the house.
"Raven? Raven! Where are you?" Sobs from the hallway were his answer. Slowly, cautiously, he walked towards the source of the sound.
"Raven is that you?" He asked quietly. The small-looking girl that sat in front of him looked nothing like the Raven he remembered. She was weak and broken; her face glistened in the moonlight from tears. She sniffed a little before remarking.
"Don't come near me!" Her voice was hoarse as if she had been crying for awhile. He crouched down beside her, reaching out to her with his hand.
"Raven, it's me, Robin. I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise." She shied away and cringed in fear.
"Don't touch me!" More sobs escaped her as the sound of breaking glass could be heard in the kitchen. He sighed before trying once again.
"Raven, look at me." Her eyes avoided his face. Gently, yet forcefully, he grasped her chin and locked his masked eyes on her amethyst pools . "Raven, I'm not going to hurt you. Never."
As if a barrier had been knocked down between the two, she grabbed him into a hug. Refusing to let go, she cried on his shoulder while he patted her back gently, on the verge of tears himself. He whispered comforting words into her ears while her sobbing subsided. They stayed like this for several minutes before she finally broke the silence that had taken over.
"Robin, Bruce…we have to save him." She broke away from his grip and looked him straight in the eyes. He nodded and helped her off the cold floor.
"Let's go." His voice was full of authority, sternness, but at the same time, care and love. Together, they raced out of the door and into the darkness of Gotham. (A.N. Everything in this chapter is dark! I mean, the freaking house is dark, the inside of it is dark, Gotham is freaking dark! What's up with that:demon side: I like the dark…It makes me happy. :normal side: It makes me happy too!)
He led her up and down the alleys and streets of Gotham. It had been so long since he had last been in the city, but he could still remember the complex twists and turns of the streets. After just a few minutes of running up and down the alleyways, they stopped at a small, dilapidated warehouse, the perfect lair for a villain.
Wicked laughter could be heard coming from inside.
"Fly little bat, fly!" Robin signed for Raven to follow his lead. She nodded, an unreadable look on her face.
He yanked the door off its hinges and sprinted into the warehouse; Raven followed, her hands already glowing black. Inside, a battered Batman hung from the wall, looking drained and old. The Joker stared at the two birds, an astonished expression taking over his face. Robin, seeing this, took advantage of it, and kicked the foe in the stomach. Jokerman grimaced in pain, grasping his stomach tightly. Raven encased the brightly clad clown in darkness, banging him against the wall. Robin went in for the kill. Giving it all he had he punched and kicked, giving the villain a bloody nose.
Joker fell to the ground, letting unconsciousness take over. Robin pulled handcuffs from his utility belt and cuffed his hands together. (A.N. He sure does have everything in that belt, doesn't he? I wonder what he doesn't have…umm….sorry…off topic. Back to the story!)
"Raven, go help Batman!" But he didn't even have to say that. Raven was already over there, helping the Bat out of his bonds. He landed gracefully on his feet. Seeing the blood that stained his costume, Raven immediately searched for signs of injury.
"Where are you hurt?" She pointed at the red stains.
"Um…my head…it's fine, though.." He groaned as she touched the wound. Raven gently placed her hand on his head and forced her healing energy out through her fingertips. The broken skin on his scalp began to close together; the knot that had begun to form quickly flattened.
Amazed at her abilities, he felt where the wound had been. Surprisingly, nothing, not even an ounce of blood had been left. Darting his eyes in astonishment between the two Titans, he chuckled under his breath.
"Wow. Your powers never cease to amaze me." He smiled warmly at her, though she could barely tell this through his mask.
Pulling the Joker onto his shoulders, the Caped Crusader walked proudly out of the warehouse, followed by the teenagers. Dropping the Joker off at the local penitentiary, they returned back to the manor.
All three of them sat around the dinner table, barely talking to each other.
"Bruce…your secret is safe with me." Raven said quietly. Bruce's eyes floated to her angelic face. He had grown attached to the broken teen in the last few days. It seemed now that her scar was healing, though he doubted she could ever be completely healed.
"I know." His eyes twinkled warmly as his face broke into a smile. This made her pale face turn bright red in color.
"Raven, I'm about to leave. Won't you please come home with me? The other Titans really miss you…" He spoke quietly, ready to accept rejection.
"I…I think I'm ready to come home…it seems like it's been awhile since I've been home." He stopped abruptly, shock clearly on his face.
"All right! Let's get your stuff and go if we wanna get home before the others really start worrying…Oh, Raven, I never got to say how sorry I am." His excited ness could not be contained as he jumped around the kitchen like a three year old.
"It's alright…" She didn't know what to say; she had someone tell her they were sorry and mean it.
A few minutes later, she had gathered all her belongings and was ready to go. After saying a tearful good bye to Bruce, she was ready to return to Jump City.
Robin mounted his R-cycle and patted the seat for Raven to join. Fearfully, clumsily, she swung her leg over the side and grabbed him tightly. He revved the engine and sped off.
"Hold on, Raven." He rubbed her hand gently, but she subconsciously pulled it away. Waving wildly at the shrinking Bruce, Robin beamed back at her.
"Ready to go back home?" She nodded, gripping him even tighter, nearly suffocating him.
"You'll be all right; I promise I won't go too fast." She nodded, too afraid for words.
They arrived at the Tower less than an hour later. Raven's pale face was even whiter; bruises were around Robin's waist. She staggered of the motorcycle and stared at the ominous Tower. It towered above her; her heart skipped a beat.
"They…they aren't mad at me?" She asked gently.
"No, they'll be glad to see you." He grabbed for her hand, she accepted the gesture. Together, they walked into the Tower.
"Friend Raven, I am so happy to be seeing you once again!" Starfire gave her a bone crushing hug. Once Raven started choking, she released her friend, still smiling brilliantly.
Cyborg and Beast Boy walked forward. Cyborg smiled a little.
"Welcome back. We missed you a lot." Beast Boy hugged her tightly, causing her to flinch in terror.
"BB! Let her go, man!" Cyborg poked the green teen fiercely. He quickly released the terrified Raven. She breathed in deeply, trying to regain her composure.
"I'm so sorry…I completely forgot…" Robin glared at Beast Boy, sending chills down the green one's spine.
"It's all right. Just don't ever touch me again." With that, she ran into her room, slamming the door behind her.
"Good going, Beast Boy." Robin muttered, chasing after her.
"Raven, he didn't mean anything!" He knocked on her door ferociously, trying to bang it open. Pressing his ear to the door, he heard her mutter something under her breath.
"It's good to be home…I feel so loved here. Maybe they do really care…"
"We do, Raven, we really do." She opened the door a little, a smile painting her face.
"I know." She fell into his arms, and they hugged for several minutes. Then, she broke away from him and ran into the lounge. Grabbing Beast Boy up into a hug much like the ones Starfire gave. Confusion washed over his face and he returned the hug. Cyborg soon joined in, followed by Starfire, and finally by Robin.
The first three tore away from her, leaving the two birds wrapped in each others arms. While the others watched in amazement, Raven and Robin pressed their lips together and kissed each other passionately.
Epilogue
Robin's personal phone rang three times before he reached over to answer it. He answered the phone. He answered wearily.
"Hello?" Bruce answered the phone. Ever since the kiss, he and Raven had been spending more and more time together. Often, she would come into his room at night because of a nightmare or something. Nightmares were the only thing that now plagued her. It was the only reminisces she had of the rape.
"Robin! How's Raven been?" Robin chuckled at his father's interest in the girl. He sure did grow attached quickly.
"She's been doing really good. She'll let me and the guys get near her and touch her. The only thing that bugs her is nightmares, but she's gotten better. Our relationship has heated up though…we're going out." Bruce laughed good heartedly on the other end.
"That's good…"
"Any more trouble with Joker?" Robin was curious. His girlfriend had whooped his butt that night.
"Nope…he's afraid I'm gonna get Raven on him.." He laughed again before abruptly stopping.
"Well, Richard, I've got business to attend to. I love you…tell Raven she's welcome back anytime…"
"Bye…love you too." He mumbled into the phone. The phone clicked off and he was left alone on the other end. Raven silently walked in, tears in her eyes, looking like a little girl as a light bulb busted above her.
"Have another nightmare?" She nodded sleepily and climbed into bed with him. Tousling her hair, he pressed his lips against her forehead.
"I'm here, everything will be all better." She nodded again, this time allowing him to take her in his arms. Her deep violet eyes looked up at his masked ones. Shakily, she held out her hands and pulled off his mask. He didn't complain, instead, he smiled as if telling her to go on.
His electric, ice blue eyes pierced through her. They mesmerized her.
"I think I just fell in love with you again." She whispered. As if an invisible force was pushing them together, they kissed. She fell asleep in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat.
"I love you." He whispered into the sleeping girl's ears.
"Love you too." She murmured back. He nuzzled against her, and soon, also fell to sleep.
A.N. And so concludes the story Leaving. So how did you like it? All right, now review! Review or die! And read some of my other stories and review those too! A little romantic at the end here, kinda choppy, but overall, I hope it's a good story! Hoped you enjoyed it...