~RavensMind~

Chapter 12: Trouble and a Table for Two

"New, polished, and imbued with the confident, stubborn air so well worn by Robin, along with the dark, strong aura that wrapped itself around Raven – the bond he shared with Raven now had a bold bridge between their senses. The dream that Hatred, now Wrath created to summon Robin to her aid in the construction of such a bridge had been inspired by both Passions. This ploy was intended to create some trust between Wrath and Robin, since they would need to work together to end the depression imposed on Raven by Despair. These demonic legions employed by this depression acted in her features as a film over her eyes, blocking and diverting any inspiration or feeling from being exhibited in her gaze. So such sparks were rare, sparse things only a very well regarded friend may be attuned to see. Sparks spur her creative nuance, passionate intentions, pointed insults, and wry remarks. Robin would know what to look for, testing the waters before plunging into some realm of devotion. Raven would turn to him, for him, for her, and the future of the Titans."

Robin was slow to wake. His eyes were heavy and his head was lightly throbbing in pain. It felt as though he had slept for a day. He would have to open his eyes to check what time it was on his alarm clock, which he really didn't feel like doing. He heard soft breathing that wasn't his own. His eyelids dragged themselves up so he could see. Raven was snuggled tightly up against him, her head resting on the pillow next to his with an arm draped across his bare chest, her fingers gripping his other side. She was sleeping soundly. He couldn't tell how long she had been there, only that he hadn't heard or felt her come in and slide in his bed. Robin smiled and put his hand over hers. He was suddenly aware of her in his mind, his senses paled in comparison to the bright presence she had in his mind. A tight cordlike sense wrapped around his mind and tugged it to hers as he tried to figure out the new feeling. She stirred beside him. One of her bare legs brushed against his as she yawned.

Her eyes were still closed, but he could almost sense that she would wake up in a few seconds. He felt that sense of her being tugged in his mind toward her and then toward him. She opened her eyes and met his gaze, shyly smiling.

"Uh, good morning," Raven said awkwardly.

"It is," Robin said, squeezing her hand, "you're a nice surprise."

"So this is okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I mean I asked you before if you wanted to spend the night with me, you said no. What changed your mind?" he asked.

"I woke up a few hours before I wanted to and I felt you, in my mind. I could sense our bond had grown, you seemed happy, and I felt awful – I had to be closer to you…and let your feelings cover mine," she said.

"Feeling better since you've been here?" he asked.

"Yes, much better, thanks," she said.

"So, uh, I was thinking about taking you out for lunch or something before we try and get rid of your depression, would you be up for it?" he asked as he pressed his thumb into the back of her hand.

"Maybe, where are you taking me?" she asked.

"Not sure yet," he said.

He let go of her hand and took her arm in his grip, sliding his fingers to her shoulder and down her back. She shivered a bit at his touch, unused to someone else's hands anywhere on her bare flesh. He was surprised to find her half-naked as she was, even more surprised that she was half-naked in his bed. He held his hand above her bra clasp and massaged the spot with his fingers, eliciting a purr from her. She let her eyes close and curled up tighter against him, her fingers clutching the opposite side of his chest. He felt that sense of her in his mind, at the edges of his mental territory, her power surrounded it, as if poised to engulf the memory manor he now had only just discovered. The onslaught of power never came and he let his awareness investigate the sense of it. As he ventured to test it, he felt a pang of pain in his head, and could sense his own mental self on the bridge between his mind and hers.

Against him, Raven nestled herself into the sheets and pillow, and softly gasped upon finding his mind seeking hers through their bond for the first time. Her mental self met his on the bond bridge and wrapped him in a welcoming warm embrace. His confidence melded with her uncertainty and swept through her. She smiled, opening her eyes to meet his gaze. She leaned over and brushed her lips softly on his shoulder at the base of his neck, catching his flesh in between her lips. He sunk his fingers into her back and held her in tightly against him. Their physical actions spread to the meeting point of their minds, a wave of energy, as fluid as ocean water, swept up from below the bridge and splashed over them. It soothed and energized the pair. In the moment, he found that he was acutely aware of both interactions with Raven, in two places at once with her. The sudden discovery snapped him away from both and he let go of her, shaking his head to call his mind back to himself. She gazed at him with a look of wonder and adoration.

"Wh-what was that?" he asked, shaken.

"Meditation, I think. Most of the feelings I had are similar to the ones I get when I meditate, I know you felt them too, and you were with me," she said, speaking softly, running her hand along his chest.

"It was great, I feel like I could tackle the city's crime in a day," he said with a laugh.

"I bet you would," she laughed.

"I'd rather just tackle you though," he smirked.

"Do you…really? Want to, I mean?" she asked awkwardly.

"Uh, no-I mean, not-I mean I feel like I could, and I'd want to, but uh-only if you're ready," he stammered.

"Umm…I should really wait until I'm feeling more like myself. Though it's hard to say no," she said.

"I understand. Wait, so you've been thinking about it?" he asked.

Raven's eyes widened as she realized what she had just revealed and she bit her lip as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. His clumsy comment had caught her off-guard and she wasn't very awake yet either, so she let that slip. She had been thinking of it, she had been holding her thoughts and feelings on that matter at bay. Yet as she was curled up against him, she had somewhat yielded to them. Her urge to plant a dozen kisses across his smooth, broad shoulders was at the forefront of her mind. She had stopped herself from tangling her pale slender legs in his strong sprinter's legs. Even her fingers had betrayed her, moving over his toned chest with a lack of purpose or aim but to feel him, touch him.

"Maybe," she teased, playing for time to gather her thoughts.

"And?" he asked.

"And I don't trust myself right now, not with what's going on in my mind. I want to get rid of my depression first," she explained.

"Yeah, makes sense. I won't push you into it," he said.

"I know," she said, "You…you've been good to me, putting up with everything, I feel selfish holding back feelings I could be sharing with you, not being more open and…affectionate."

She fell silent and looked down between them. She felt guilty for making him go through things he didn't fully understand in addition to the typical relationship trials. She sighed and shifted in the bed beside him.

Without warning her, Robin put his arms around Raven and lifted her up on top of him, her legs straddling his waist. He kept his hands on her hips and looked up at her. Shame he always covered those blue eyes of his, they were gorgeous, she thought as she gazed down at him.

"I don't think you're selfish, Rae, I don't regret getting into this relationship with you, and I've been happy getting to know you like this. You know I'd say if I didn't like where this was going. I know you're just going through a lot right now and it's good to see you getting better," Robin said, smiling up at her.

"You are so-," Raven started.

She paused when she felt one of his fingers slip beneath the lining of her panties at her hip. She glanced down at her waist to see what he was doing. He looked down and quickly withdrew his finger, glancing back at her, his face now red in embarrassment; it had been an absent-minded motion, and he steeled himself for her reaction. To his surprise, her face reddened and a small giggle escaped her lips.

"So amazing," she said, finishing her thought.

Bending down, she wrapped her hands around his neck and gave him a fluttery kiss on the lips. He kissed her back. His hands slid around her waist and supported her ass as he sat up, his lips locked with hers. She felt his soft fingers on her smooth cheeks, wandering, caressing. He kissed her and kissed her. She purred and wrapped her legs around his back. In a flash, they were both seeing their mental selves on the bridge between minds, entrapped in a tight, loving embrace, as they kept kissing. Robin gently lowered her onto her back and moved his hands along her thighs, his lips shifting from hers to her neck. Raven tilted her head back and purred, exploring his back with her slim fingers, digging into his skin. Somehow one of his hands slid up from her thigh to cup her breast through her bra. She moaned and drove nails into his back, alerting him to his motions. He backed off and looked down into her sweet violet eyes.

"We should do something, but all I want to do is keep you here and kiss you," Robin said.

Nodding reluctantly, she removed her hands from his body and slid out from underneath him. He moved so she could get out of the bed and stand, he watched her hips as she went over to his dresser and grabbed their journal and a pair of pens, then returned to him. Handing him a pen, she opened their journal and they wrote together. Robin doodled some, Raven wrote a few lines of a poem across the doodle. And then they wrote a poem together:

"Minds of manor and tower,

There's so much to discover.

Our wings lift us to new heights,

We'll soar on through the nights.

As two, in a loving flock,

You should ride my - * scratched out word* sea to dock,

To gentle shores from the waves crest,

Just for me to hold your *scratched out word* mind that's messed.

There's nothing much between me and you,

That won't be explored through and through.

Kiss me now so I'll kiss, and show, your heart,

We will be forever one, only to break if torn apart."

Raven made Robin cross out a certain word, and Robin made Raven cross out the other word. Their minds were still on the earlier conversation they had.

After writing for some time, they parted and went their separate ways to get ready for the rest of the day. Once showered and dressed, they met in the living room and started looking at places where they could go for lunch. Raven wanted to go to a café, but Robin was in the mood for some kind of bar and grill, so they compromised on a place that had a reputation for being good for both. Prior to leaving, Robin checked in with Alfred and Cyborg to see how things were going in Gotham. Raven had to drag him away from the call and get him on his motorcycle. Wrapping her arms tightly around him on the back, they took off for the café and grill.

Taking a swift ride in the city, the R-cycle tore through traffic and pulled up in front of the restaurant. The sun beat down on them from its place overhead with no clouds to hinder its glare, a bright, golden ball in a blue sea of atmosphere. Rays of light struck the glass of shops and restaurants along the street. Robin helped Raven off his bike and they started for the door to the café and grill when a siren sounded, breaking the calm of the afternoon. Raven glanced down as her red gem on her cloak's clasp started to blink. Robin checked his communicator the instant it buzzed.

"Trouble," he said gravely.

She nodded and rushed after him as he took off toward the sounding siren. Together, they dashed across two blocks and turned the corner before they found the source of the siren. A bank's doors had been blasted off and four armed gunmen stood their ground behind black sedans in a battle with police who sat on the opposite curb from the bank.

Robin and Raven exchanged a glance to one another and sprang into the fray. She gathered their weapons with her powers, plucking them from their hands with her black telekinetic magic, and set them down in a pile behind the cops, while Robin leapt up over the sedans they hid behind. He kicked and slammed his fists into the resisting thugs and saw that they were restrained or subdued. Raven glided across the road to hover next to him, looking from one battered thug to the next.

"This can't be all of them," she said quietly to Robin.

"Yeah, I bet there's more here, and they're not like these guys," he said, as he took out his bo-staff and started for the door to the bank, Raven caught him by the shoulder.

"Don't. It's what he wants," she said.

"And who is 'he'?" he asked.

"Gizmo," she said, indicating the near-invisible tripwire device planted discreetly at the base of the doorway, "I wonder why Mammoth isn't with him, I don't sense him here."

"Maybe he wasn't expecting us, so he didn't need him," he said.

Robin walked over and carefully inspected the tripwire as the police moved up and started taking suspects away. The tripwire was set up to be very strong, and it connected to something inside the bank. It didn't appear to have anything indicating an explosive device. If that was the case, then it could mean that Gizmo wanted to capture someone, and the unknown connection might be a cage, or case. For what reason? Robin asked himself. He looked back at Raven, who was keeping the police from going in to the bank. She caught his eye and shrugged, she was as unsure as he was. Then she turned her eyes toward the street and her expression changed from one of confusion to recognition and then understanding as a red blur sped toward the bank, weaving in and out of traffic. Kid Flash. Which meant that Jynx wasn't far behind him, if she wasn't already there. Kid Flash stopped in front of Raven and reached for her hand, took it in his, and kissed the back of her hand. Robin flinched and stood up straight and frowned before walking over to greet Kid Flash.

"Raven, babe, you look better every time I see ya," Kid Flash smirked.

"Thanks Wally…better wipe that look off your face before Jynx does it for you, or I do," Raven cautioned.

"You dark types really stick together huh?" he asked.

"Hey Wally," Robin said, offering his hand to shake.

Kid Flash beamed at Robin and swept him into a tight embrace, to Robin's discomfort, and Raven's amusement.

"Good to see ya man, we need to catch up," Kid Flash said.

"Nice to see you too. Mind telling me what this is about?" Robin asked, pointing to the bank.

Kid Flash let go of Robin and frowned at him.

"Gizmo and Mammoth are trying to get Jynx to team up with them again, they think they can do that by stopping me. I told em good luck, cuz it isn't happening, and it won't!" Kid Flash said.

"So where is Jynx?" Robin asked.

"She's coming from Titans East; she won't get in until later tonight. Think we could crash at your place if you have a room?" Kid Flash asked.

"Help us get Gizmo and Mammoth under control and you can have your pick of the rooms, it's just me and Raven handling the city, the rest of the team is off on a mission," Robin said.

"Awesome! Sounds like a night to party," Kid Flash said, winking at Raven.

"We'll see," Robin said after catching a disapproving look from Raven.

"You guys can go, I got this, I'll see ya later tonight with Jynx," Kid Flash said.

"You sure? We should attack this as a team, I don't know if you going about this alone is a good idea," Robin said.

"Nah, you'll slow me down, If I need help, I'll bug you, just go and do what you were doing, " Kid Flash insisted.

"Mind the tripwire," Raven said, starting off toward the café.

Robin nodded to Kid Flash and followed Raven back to the café and grill. He expertly maneuvered around her and opened the door for her before she could reach out and pull it open herself. Once inside they stopped short. The place was practically deserted; apparently the commotion of gunfire and sirens a few blocks away had scared away the customers. A few members of the kitchen staff and waiters jumped upon seeing Robin and Raven standing at the door, waiting to be seated. It was rare for any of the Titans to go to restaurant that didn't serve fast food, tofu, or pizza.

"Table for five?" a young waiter asked with hopeful eyes.

"Two," Robin said, with a firm expression and warm smile.

"Oh, sure, right this way," the waiter said anxiously as he grabbed a pair of menus.

Following the waiter, past several tables and booths, Robin took Raven's hand and led her along. The rest of the staff watched and one of the girls turned to another and pointed to the pair and whispered something. Raven frowned as she caught the two girls out of the corner of her eye pointing and talking. She never liked the gossip that they got as a team, tabloids in the city had caused a few issues among them, like when they posted a story about Robin and Starfire's relationship, suggesting that he had actually been the one to ask Kitten out, or when they posted a piece speculating as to when Beast Boy would ask her out, and when they wondered if Cyborg had a fling with Bumblebee. Dating Robin, she knew they would end up in one of those stories. It didn't discourage her though; people would say what they wished to about whatever they wanted. She was only concerned about how it would affect the team if the story got out before she and Robin told them that they were dating.

The waiter took them to a booth in a more closed off section of the restaurant. Sitting down across from each other, Robin let her hand go, and picked up a menu that the waiter had laid out in front of them. Raven picked up a menu and opened it, looking for something she might be in the mood for.

"So, where are the other Teen Titans?" the waiter asked.

"Busy with their own stuff," Robin said.

"Oh yeah? Uh, what would you like to drink?" the waiter asked.

"Two glasses of water, and a pot of herbal tea – with two cups, please, thanks," Robin said.

Raven's eyes peeked at him from over the top of her menu for an instant, and then went back to scanning the list of entrees.

"Sure thing. I'll get those and give you two time to look over the menu," the waiter said, before walking off, leaving them alone.

Once the waiter was out of sight and earshot, Robin reached over and pulled the top of her menu down enough to see her face. Her eyes shot to his and she smiled curiously.

"You okay? Seems like you're getting ready to punch somebody, is it cuz of Wally?" Robin asked.

"Partially," Raven replied.

"Partially? What else could it be? Me?" he asked.

"No. It's…I just feel awkward, being out on a date with you, people will talk," she said.

"They might. We'll deal with it if it happens," he said.

"You're fine telling the others?" she asked.

"Yeah, when they get back, sure. Aren't you?"

She hesitated and set her menu down, looking from him to her lap, trying to find her emotions, and her words.

"I don't want our relationship subject to the scrutiny of the entire city or our friends, just for us to be together," she said.

"We can't control being seen or not being seen without hiding somehow, is that what you want?" he asked.

"No. I guess not," she said with a frown.

"Hey, you're dealing with a lot right now, I'm helping you as best I can, so let me worry about what anyone else is doing or saying. Just focus on feeling better, take it easy."

"Yeah, I should."

"Think you can relax now?"

"Maybe. Not exactly jumping up and down to have to deal with Wally later."

"If he goes too far, I'll chain him to a flagpole."

"Promise?" she asked with a giggle.

"We'll see," he chuckled.

"He might like that, though," she mused.

"What do you mean?"

"People talk."

"And what do they say?"

"In short, he may have a thing for you."

"What?! No way. He flirts with girls; I've never seen him flirt with a guy, let alone me."

"All his flirting could just be a smoke screen. Ever think of that?"

"Maybe. But he's with Jynx."

"Doesn't kill off his interest in other people."

"I guess not, but I still doubt he likes me."

"I don't see why anyone wouldn't like you, but then…I'm a little biased."

"Yeah, I see that," he smirked.

Carrying a tray, the waiter returned to their table and set the teapot, cups and drinks in front of them. Raven retreated behind her menu once more, acting as though she was making a last minute change to what she would order. The waiter's eyes were fixated on her, not in anticipation of her order, just in awe, star-struck, and Robin caught on to that pretty quickly.

"I think she's still deciding," Robin said to draw the waiter's attention.

"What? Oh-right, yeah. Sorry. It's just- can't believe she's her, Raven. And she's here," the waiter stammered.

"Nobody else like her," Robin said with a smile.

Raven's eyes peeked over the menu at Robin once more; a small spark flashed in one of them briefly, and then vanished. Setting down the menu, Raven looked at the waiter and managed a small smile.

"He's pretty unique, too," Raven said.

"Well, yeah, right, you're both awesome! And it's crazy that you're both here, but you – you saved my dad's life one time. Cinderblock picked up this truck threw it at the door to a jewelry shop where my dad was working, he was just locking up, and you grabbed the truck out of the air like, a foot from my dad's head, with your power and threw it back at Cinderblock. So I just- I wanted to say thank you, so much, for saving my dad's life!" the waiter gushed.

"It's what we do," Robin said proudly and Raven nodded in agreement.

"Is this like, a special occasion for you two? I don't mean to bother you," the waiter said.

"Not really. I'm trying to cheer her up, thought getting taking her to get a bite to eat might help," Robin said.

"Anything you want off the menu, name it, and it's yours – on the house," the waiter said to Raven.

"Oh, no, that's really not-," Raven started.

"Please? It's the least I can do," the waiter said.

"Alright," she surrendered.

She ordered a specialty salad and a sundae for herself, while Robin ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with fries. Once the waiter had their orders down and took their menus, he all but ran away from them to get things ready. Robin poured a cup of tea for her and then himself. She sipped her tea and watched him take a sip of his, and then he downed the whole cup and poured another. She smiled quietly to herself, she had offered him some before, but he hadn't taken her up on that despite her praise for her favorite drink.

Their conversation continued, moving away from Kid Flash and Jynx to their evening plans, then to a few casual questions. Raven brought up a book she thought he might like and he told her of a cd he had listened to while training that he wanted her to check out for herself. It struck her that she had been smiling for most of their conversation and felt Happiness sitting next to Hunger, flinging her small nuggets of energy, making her a little peppier. She felt Despair rattle somewhere in her mind, which sent shivers along her back and neck. Wrath hit the cage with a wave of power and quieted Despair, Cleverness was going over something in her library and Raven didn't have to try and sense where her Passion was, for she had been sitting on the bond bridge with Robin's Passion all day.

The waiter returned with their food and they ate quickly, saying little. As Raven finished her salad, the waited brought her the sundae she ordered – with two straws.

She looked from the waiter to Robin uneasily.

"I don't mean to bug you, it's none of my business, but you two are on a date… aren't you?" the waiter asked anxiously.

Robin looked from the waiter to Raven. She nervously bit her lip and nodded ever so slightly to him. He turned his attention back to the waiter.

"Don't spread it around, but yeah, we started dating, haven't told our friends yet," Robin said.

"Oh, I won't, it's just- couldn't help noticing. If you need a quiet place to go out to, come back again, I'll make sure you're not bothered," the waiter said with a smile.

"That's cool, thanks," Robin said.

"No problem! Hope everything was good. Need anything else?" the waiter asked.

"I think we're okay," Robin said, turning to Raven," Raven?"

"The food was fantastic. What's your name?" Raven asked.

"Cory," the waiter said.

"Say hi to your dad for me, Cory, and thanks for all of this," she said.

"I will! And don't mention it, anything for you guys!" Cory said.

When the waiter walked away, Raven put the sundae between her and Robin and slid the straws into the glass, tilting one toward Robin. They drank their dessert together, careless of who might see them. Once they finished, they left the restaurant to head home, where they would try and get rid of Raven's depression for good.