Birdcage

Chapter three

'Where'd he go?

She quickly crossed the street and moved down the sidewalk. As she looked through the crowd there was no sign of the man from her dream.

Why make such an obvious appearance only to run away? She let out a tired huff wondering if he had been there at all or had she just imagined it like earlier. Maybe all of this was just a lack of sleep or being alone for too long. As much as she wanted to believe that, she knew what she saw. Robin managed to catch up with her looking more worn out then earlier.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Thought I saw someone is all."

"…o…kay," he scanned over the street as well even though he didn't know who to look for.

"I was wrong," her tone was clearly annoyed as she dropped her gaze to the ground and turned away from him, "It's nothing." He shrugged in response and reached out to pull her hood to get her attention again.

"If you think you saw something I am sure you did." She turned back to him with a dubious look on her face. "Who am I to say otherwise." His expression didn't convince her. While he was always well spoken she couldn't help but notice he sounded a bit like how Starfire use to talk. Knowing it wasn't worth bringing up she shook her head in response.

"This isn't the same. Just something I have to deal with…alone."

"You know you don't have to if you don't want to," he offered before she turned away again.
"Isn't our breakfast getting cold," she mentioned. It was the perfect distraction as the infamous boy wonder's stomach growled in response. Robin dropped his shoulders and heaved a deep breath.

"That's not fair," he grumbled back in defeat. His slight antics brought a faint grin to Raven's face. "Fine…we'll head back to the coffee shop, finish breakfast and maybe find your mystery guy. Sound good?"

" I never said it was a guy," her mouth pulled into what looked like a lopsided smile. Robin crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow at her. She sighed in defeat and nodded. He grinned back before causally taking her by the hand and heading back to the cafe.

Raven ate the rest of her breakfast in painful silence. It was clear she was doing everything she could to keep her emotions in line. Across the table Robin could actually feel the strain coming from her. He was starting to wonder if leaving her alone for the last month had been such a good idea. He knew whenever the team was together she was in a constant state of keeping things in check. With no one there to 'get on her nerves' he wondered if she didn't feel the need to stay vigilant. He suddenly felt the need to distract her. From herself. Maybe talking about the issue would be the best way to help her. At the very least he needed the lighten the mood.

"So, about this guy. Is he a villain?" Raven shrugged back.

"Seems like a villain."

"Okay so that's a start. Does he wear dark clothes?" She arched an eyebrow.

"Wearing dark clothes doesn't make you evil." Robin leaned back in his chair clearly deep in thought about this.

"Does he have a mustache?" Raven almost spit her tea out across the table. She brought her hand up to her mouth letting out a cough. She gave him a look and he raised his hands in defense. "Okay okay, I'll stop bothering you about it." She knew he wouldn't though. He couldn't just leave something like this alone. Deep down she wondered if he was desperate to distract himself from the unanswered questions regarding his presents.

"Thank you," she replied dryly.

Once they finished their drinks it was time to head back to the Tower. Robin had some work he wanted to do and was hoping to speak to Cyborg to see how things were on his end. The time on the way back to the Tower seemed to fly by as Raven got lost in her thoughts again. Once they arrived back she headed for her room in need of some alone time. Sitting on her bed she quietly chanted her mantra. It seemed to take longer for her to focus this time as she repeated it over and over again. Eventually she could hear nothing but her own breathing and the soft sound of waves in the distance. A soft breeze blew her hair over her shoulders and she breathed it in deeply.

This was what she needed. It hadn't occurred to her until now but she hadn't really meditated in a while even though she had had plenty of time. She was certain all her mental strain was probably due to a lack of self care. A faint smile snuck it's way across her face as she soaked in her surroundings. A sudden cool breeze pushed against her back causing her grin to falter. Warm arms wrapped around her shoulders and there was a weight against her from behind.

"We finally get some time together." Reluctantly she leaned back and inhaled deeply. His spiced smell overtook her senses.

"Why…why won't you tell me…who you are?" He hummed quietly in her ear as he slowly brushed her hair off her neck.

"You mean you don't know," she could hear the amusement in his voice, "what's wrong with a little mystery?" She grounded her teeth in response trying to pull away from him. Despite her efforts it seemed impossible to get out of his grip. She finally smirked to herself.

"Couldn't even leave me alone in here, could you?"

"It seems to be the only way to get any time alone with you," he actually growled, "besides isn't this a bit cheery for you?" He gestured to the landscape. As his hand moved away the sun started to set over the horizon, faster than usually. The soft wind from earlier became cold and harsh forcing her to bring her arms around her shoulders. He responded to her movement by bringing his arms around her as well. Somewhere in the distance, although she wasn't sure where from, she could hear her name being called. The slim man sitting behind her let out a hiss as she sat up more, pulling away from him.

"Who…" she struggled to focus on the sound.

"It is not important, all that matters is this place and what's happening here." He tried to pull her back against his chest but she kept pushing him away.

"No, something…isn't right." She finally stood up and looked around trying to get a better look at her surroundings. The sky was now a dark crimson with a crooked sliver of a moon hanging in the distance. The sand felt more coarse than before under her feet. This was her sanctuary and he had ruined it just like in her dream. She turned to glare in his direction only to suddenly be staring at the ceiling in her room.

But she wasn't alone. Even wearing his typical dark mask she could see the worry in Robin's expression. Now the hue around him was more teal or green than blue. He straightened back as she sat up.

"Sorry for coming in but I called for you and there wasn't an answer. Are you okay?" Such a loaded question to ask.

"Guess I just got lost in my thoughts."

Raven, you've been in here for almost nine hours." She glanced out her window to confirm it was already dark outside. How had she managed to lose track of time like that?

"Must have fallen asleep or something," she muttered quietly before wearily rising to her feet. He stood as well, his concern coming off of him in waves. "Sorry, didn't mean to worry you."

"But I am worried. Tell me what's going on. Please?" His tone was low and caring. She tried to think of where to begin, of how to explain it. After a long pause she finally responded.

"I…I don't know," she admitted.