A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter Five: Mood

"Aw man, who is it this time?" Cyborg groaned.

"Hey, at least we don't have to watch that foreign flick Fearless Leader was about to force on us," BB commented.

The massive Titan arched his eyebrow and nodded in agreement. Cyborg synchronized his on board systems with the powerful Titans Mainframe and brought up the map of the city.

"Report," Robin said as he rushed into the room.

"It's a break in at the old Ty-Chem plant."

"Wonderful," Robin growled under his breath. "Do we have any visuals on the perps?"

"Nope," Cyborg reported. "Ty-Chem was shut down by the EPA after a fire. The security staff hasn't reported in, but the burglar alarm has definitely been tripped."

Raven slowly walked after the others. She silently joined the group and took her spot behind Robin. She felt his mood darken with worry for the city and, more importantly, worry for his friends. The pale girl stopped herself from reaching out to him; instead, she flexed her fingers slowly and glanced from them to Robin. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the rueful grin of Beast Boy, who then gave her a sly, knowing wink. Raven wrapped herself in her cloak and shot him her best Shut-up-and-die stare.

"Right," Robin announced. "Cy, I need a report on anything that was left behind at Ty-Chem. Star, I need you and Beast Boy to scout ahead. Keep in contact, and do not engage until we get there."

"What do you want me to do?" Rae said in her monotone droll.

"Raven, you're with me."

Beast Boy, after transforming into a falcon, and Starfire took to the sky. The willowy alien looked back to Robin. He gave her a reassuring smile and slight nod. Starfire returned a small smile and sped away.

Cyborg scanned the last known inventories of the chemical factory. "This is gonna take a while," he groaned.

"Keep on it," Robin ordered. "Ready, Rae?"

"Ready for what?" Her thin eyebrow arched quizzically.

He took Raven's hands and narrowed his eyes. "Take us to Ty-Chem."

Raven curled her lips into a slight grin as black energy enveloped the two Titans.

….

The abandoned chemical factory, after all this time, still smelled of burnt metal and chlorine. The city barely escaped a devastating ecological disaster, and the chemical manufacture went bankrupt soon afterwards. Twisted metal gnarled overhead casting threatening shadows in the full moon's light.

Robin and Raven skulked in the shadows and waited for the others to arrive.

"So, what's the plan?" Raven asked quietly.

"Turn off your communicator," Robin whispered.

"What about…?"

Robin cut Raven off with a quick slashing motion across his neck. The young witch scowled, but complied with the order. He motioned for Raven to follow him, and if not for her ability to see auras, she would have completely lost Robin in the darkness. She kept extremely close, almost bumping into him several times. He held up his hand stopping them as they found their vantage point overlooking the destroyed courtyard.

Robin looked up and saw the energy trail of the approaching Starfire. Robin turned to Raven, held two fingers to his eyes, and then panned them over the courtyard. Raven understood. Robin was using Star as bait, knowing she can take the first hit and survive. Then the perps would have given away their position. Ruthlessly brilliant.

"Some view, eh, Raven?" a voice asked. It sounded like Robin, but only if he were talking through a tin can.

Before she could think, an arm snaked around her torso and a fist jammed into her larynx. She was jerked back with a "meep!" escaping. Robin swept around and crouched into a fighting stance. His eyes narrowed as he saw his dark doppelganger clutching Raven, a bright red blade pressed to her throat and his death's head mask peered over the pale girl's shoulder.

"X," Robin growled. "Let her go."