~RavensMind~

Chapter 17: Gotham

"Despair rattled the bars of her cage, making enough noise to give Raven a headache and summon Wrath to her cell. The two emotions regarded each other coolly before Despair revealed something troubling to Wrath. Despair had seen blood and chaos come to Gotham again and the team was in more danger than they or Batman were aware. The Joker had been watching all of them and waiting for the best time to introduce himself, as only he could, but not to all at once. One of the three would be at his mercy within the next few hours. Wrath flew to the other emotions and they made Raven hear them, loud and clear over the sea of other thoughts. She told Robin and he called to check in with Batman. No answer. He would try the team next..."

The wind whipped over and under green wings as Beast Boy flew in hawk form over a section of buildings near Gotham's Amusement Mile in the early morning. He glanced at the amusement park and made a beeline for the top of the Ferris wheel. Landing on one of the seats near the top, he transformed back into himself. A huge smile was plastered on his face as he looked at all the rides below. No way were they leaving before they tried this place, he would make sure of it. Move over baddies, there's a new objective numero uno, he thought to himself.

Rides were enough for him, but he saw games and concessions stand that stretched across the park as far as his eye could see. He'd scoped out a few other places to check out too, but this was by far the biggest. Maybe he could convince Starfire and Robin that they had to stick around here for a while after they were done looking for this wild goose of a clown. Batman had briefed all three of them on how dangerous the Joker was, and under no circumstances were they to engage him. If they found him, which didn't look like they would. Lots of running around for nothing.

Wouldn't be a total waste of time if they had some fun to make up for it. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes with a sigh. It had been a long few days and he was tired of scanning the city for hours on end, only to meet up with Batman at the end and say he had come up with nothing. Cyborg and Starfire had said the same thing, they knew they were running out of time, but they had searched all over the city. He rested his eyes as he pictured himself playing GameStation back home and smiled quietly to himself. The next Call of War game was coming out soon, he would grab it as soon as he could and beat every one of the Titans at it.

A metallic whirring noise came from below and the Ferris wheel seat he was in lurched forward. He snapped to attention and looked over the side. Two men in maintenance uniforms were standing before the Ferris wheel controls and talking to one another in low voices. One had a large red tool box and the other pulled the lever on the nearby console. His seat started going down and he decided he would stay until he got to the bottom, then make his getaway before he was noticed. The wheel turned, and his seat reached the bottom after a minute. Beast Boy hopped off the Ferris wheel and made to leave. Something nailed him in the back, piercing his skin and sending waves of pain radiating through his body. He turned and saw one of the workers pointing a large rifle with a revolver loading mechanism that was loaded with darts. His legs turned to jelly, and he fell to his knees. His head was spinning, and he opened his mouth to speak, only managing a slurred angry response. Another dart hit him square in the chest and he went down, crushing the few blades of grass that had sprouted out of a crack in the pavement.

Sprawled on the ground, Beast Boy heard the footsteps of the gunman get closer, and stop inches from his head. Whether it was the drug from the dart that was filling his veins, or his mind playing tricks on him, he didn't know, but he heard a low, insidious, unnatural cackle from the twisted mouth of the gunman. His blood went cold. He didn't need to look to know that the Joker was standing over his body. The paralytic was setting in fully, he wouldn't be able to move, much less fight, in a matter of moments.

"Looks like I bagged myself a new species. Don't think my taxidermist will know what to dooo with you! Only pulling your leg, I don't have a taxidermist!" the Joker said with a low chuckle, "Don't worry your green head one bit, I'll get you fixed up J-style...Just as soon as I can decide...should I stuff you, or hang you?"

Rrrrrrrrrrrrr

Robin paced back and forth in his room as he waited for Cyborg to answer his communicator. It was half past five in the morning and without the aid of coffee, he was wide awake. He wore only his underwear and his mask, his hair was messy, but that wasn't going to keep him from calling. Raven sat on the edge of the bed with the sheets pulled up to her neck, watching Robin as he paced in front of her. She would be calling Starfire, but he didn't want her talking at the same time as him. No need explaining their relationship now, not with the larger issue of the Joker stalking one of their teammates.

It had taken two calls to get through to Cyborg, but he finally answered, and both Robin and Raven sighed in relief. Robin managed to stop pacing.

"Hey, Robin, what's wrong? It's almost six in the morning, man," Cyborg yawned.

"Have you seen Starfire and Beast Boy recently? Or Batman?" Robin demanded.

"Yeah, like twenty minutes ago when we split up to search the city...again," Cyborg replied.

"Get back to Batman, now, and don't stop for anything," Robin said.

"Woah, why, what's up?" Cyborg asked.

"Raven had a vision, like the ones she had about Trigon, only it was about the Joker stalking one of you guys in Gotham."

"Shit...I'll call Beast Boy, you call Starfire."

"Call me back after, if you reach him or not."

"I'm on it."

Robin ended the call and immediately started calling Starfire. He and Raven looked at the communicator as it rang. He knew more of the Joker than she did, but she still seemed just as worried. Maybe sharing his mind meant sharing some memories too, he wasn't sure. He hoped that wasn't true, there were things related to Joker that he didn't want anyone to know or see. It was too brutal.

Starfire answered on the last ring.

"Robin! It is good to see you! Why have you called? Is everything alright?" Starfire asked.

"No, you need get back to Batman right now. Raven had a vision about the Joker stalking one of you in Gotham."

"Oh, I shall return immediately! Should I contact the others as well?"

"I already called Cyborg, and he's trying Beast Boy. Just get back to Batman."

"Is Raven well? Her last visions were most unpleasant and gave her those odd markings."

"She's fine, just worried about the rest of you."

"I am glad she is unhurt. I shall call you with Cyborg and Beast Boy when we reach Batman."

"Good, I'll be waiting to hear from you."

Closing the communicator, Robin sat down on the bed next to Raven with a sigh. She turned and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. He didn't look at her, but put an arm around her back and pulled her closer. He didn't have to wait to hear from Cyborg to know that the Joker had done something with Beast Boy. When had Raven's visions been wrong? Everything came to pass, but they found a way to fight it when it did. A part of him still needed that call to confirm his fears, the part that wasn't attached to Raven. Evidence, data, and reports had grounded him through every case, and he wasn't about to ditch them now.

Another minute passed. Then another. Robin tensed up and Raven ran her hands down his back and chest, trying to ease him. She knew better than he did. Good news wouldn't be coming. The wait was still agonizing, every bit as painful as a thousand tiny blades being pressed against their bodies. Robin wasn't sure if Beast Boy would be dead, or captured, and he couldn't decide which was worse.

The communicator went off and Robin flipped it open before his face, ensuring Raven's absence from the screen that Beast Boy would be looking into.

But it wasn't Beast Boy.

Robin was looking into the green-eyes and ghost-white face of the Joker. The red smile spread wide from ear to ear. That laugh may as well have expelled a torrent of shrieking ghouls.

"Robin! So, you're not dead! I thought maybe Bats had wised up and put you out of our misery! Not a problem! I'm always up for doing him a favor. Mmmmhaha-hahhhah-ha-haa-haa-ahh!"Joker cackled out.

"Where is he?!" Robin demanded.

"Ohhh, what does it matter? Here, there, or with good-old-Batsy, he's hardly in good condition! I don't think I can return him like this, I can't even find the receipt! Guess I'll have to keep him, or throw him away."

"Let him go, he's not a part of this."

"HA-Hardly! I nabbed him from one of my old haunts faster than you could say green roadkill! And I don't take requests."

"We will find you Joker, and you won't win."

"Listen, tweety-bird, you stay out of this, and I'll let him live - I've always wanted a green cat! If you don't, well, he'll look so nice on the wall next to the moose-head, and soon, the bat-head! Oh, and before I forget to say, you call off your other two minions or I'll have them both mounted on spikes too!" Joker threatened.

Joker's face was mercifully replaced by a black screen on Robin's communicator. Raven gave Robin a tiny squeeze and drew her legs up on the bed next to him. He stared down at the communicator for a while, trying to process how exactly he had convinced himself that something like this wasn't going to happen when he sent his friends to Gotham. Now one might not be coming back at all. He was going to do everything he could to make sure that every single one of them came home, because it had to be his fault. Raven lifted her head and they shared a brief moment just looking at each other, not really knowing what to say.

"Maybe I should go and get ready," Raven said, finally breaking her silence.

"No," Robin said, holding her tighter, "Stay."

"Alright. Whatever you need," she said, "I'm here. "

"Why did I let them go?"

"It isn't your fault. Joker took Beast Boy, not you."

"But if he hadn't been sent after Joker."

"Then he might've been hurt by one of the other hundred things we fight."

"I know you're right, I just...I should have been there."

"We'll get him back, we can leave today."

"About that. Wally had me talk to Flash last night, Batman hasn't been acting like himself, so yeah - we're going to Gotham no matter what."

She nodded and stood up, leaving the sheets behind, she stretched and caught Robin looking her over. With everything that had happened that morning, she had almost forgotten the reason why she had been in here, why her hair was such a mess, and why she was standing naked before him. Now they would have to rush and get ready instead of enjoying the morning as they might have before her vision. She bent down and picked up her bra and panties to put them on as he sat, still watching as if he hadn't seen a girl before.

There would be time to get back to anything else they had planned to explore after the team was safe and the Joker was no longer a problem. She wondered why Batman hadn't answered Robin's call, why he might not be available. Could be linked to something Joker did, if it was true. She could only trust Robin's read of the situation as she had no prior experience with Batman or the Justice League. All she could recall was when Robin had bragged to the others about meeting Superman once, but there hadn't been much else beyond that.

Her hand was captured in his when she tried to take a step away from the bedside. She turned around to look at him.

"So, I uh, promised I'd tell you the other reason why Wally interrupted us. It was to ask if we'd want to have a foursome, with Jinx and him," Robin said.

"Not in the mood for jokes," Raven said.

"I'm not kidding," he said flatly.

"Sometimes I wonder if running too fast makes his brain hit the back of his skull, and if that costs him a few dozen brain cells," she said, "What made him think we'd ever agree to that?"

"He also said that Jinx… likes you."

"What?!"

"Guess that explains why she went in your room when the Hive had the tower under their control."

"Umm, can we just forget about this? It's hardly the time."

"You're not curious?"

"Maybe. I'm just not interested right now. What were you thinking?"

"Not something I'd jump to do."

"True, I'm more interested in you."

"Good answer," he chuckled.

"In fact, if my vision and the news about Joker hadn't interfered, I would have kept you in bed, all to myself."

"I'll hold you to that, after we deal with this, we can get back to us, okay?"

"I see. So, hands to ourselves starting now?"

"Pretty much," he chuckled.

"I'll let you get ready then," she said as she opened a dark portal and vanished through it.

It wouldn't take much to keep him focused on the mission, she would know that, even though they had been all over each other lately. His immediate concerns were getting Beast Boy back from Joker - alive - and figuring out why Batman was acting so strangely. He got up and stripped out of his underwear before walking into his bathroom and hopping in the shower. He didn't waste any time, but let several thoughts dance in his mind as he stood under the warm jets of water. If Batman couldn't answer his call, was he captured too, or was he avoiding the call? If it was the latter, Robin would be fuming, but if it was the former - it would be up to him, Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire to save Beast Boy, Batman, and stop Joker and Scarecrow. There was a chance that they could get some help from the Justice League, but he couldn't bet on that.

He finished in the shower and grabbed a towel off the rack. Drying off and going through the rest of his routine, he went through the list of things he'd have to tell Jinx and Kid Flash if they were going to be watching the tower, and protecting the city. Things had been slow, but he wasn't taking any chances. Jailbreaks could still happen, new criminals could emerge overnight, it was expected. He got dressed in his uniform and checked himself in the mirror before he began packing up for Gotham. Unlike Raven, he could pack light, as he had plenty he could use or wear once they arrived at the Batcave.

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The flight to Gotham was faster than Robin or Raven could have anticipated, but then neither of them had been on one of the Justice League's prototype ospreys before. They were picked up by Flash on the roof of Titans Tower after Robin ran down the list of things for Jinx to memorize for running the show while the team was away. Hard to imagine she'd miss something, since Robin repeated it three times. Raven had to pull Robin away as he was gearing up to repeat it a fourth time. Once they were on their way, he seemed to calm down, and she did her best to keep both of them distracted. They passed their journal back and forth, writing and sketching things to each other.

Flash only spoke to them a few times, mostly to update them on the situation in Gotham with Batman, and to say that while the League was busy with other crises, they would help however they could. They were granted access to land on a space landing pad in the Batcave on approach, but Robin could tell that it wasn't Batman who let them do so. Flying in through the secret entrance under Wayne Manor, they hovered through blackness and landed on an illuminated bat symbol. Once the engines were killed, the lights to the rest of the Batcave were turned on, and they got out of the osprey. Alfred stood by the bat computer on the upper level, waiting for them.

Raven watched as Robin bolted up the steps ahead of her and Flash and embraced Alfred without a word. It was brief and he resumed his usual demeanor once he stepped away. Flash shook Alfred's hand and Raven followed suit. What she learned of the butler from Robin's memories were enough to endear him to her. Alfred cleaned up after Batman in more ways than one, being there for Robin where Batman wasn't.

"It's excellent to see you again, Master Grayson, and you as well Mr. Allen. A pleasure to meet you in person, Miss Roth, I wish it had been under better circumstances," Alfred said.

"I know, it seems like disaster follows us everywhere," Raven said.

"Not for long. Where are Bruce, Cyborg, and Starfire?" Robin asked.

"Master Wayne is on his way, your friends are in a safe house not far from the manor, but it is in the city and fully secure. He still insists on keeping his identity from your friends, against my advice," Alfred replied.

"Any luck finding Beast Boy?" Robin asked.

"Your friends found his communicator, but that's the most I've heard recently. I'm sure he'll have something when he gets back," Alfred said.

"Has he been acting strange at all to you, Al?" Flash asked.

"No more than usual, why do you ask?" Alfred asked.

"He's been pulling some of our resources without warning and not answering our calls," Flash said.

"Forgive me, Mister Allen, but he always acts as such when the Joker is involved, don't tell me that you never once noticed," Alfred said.

"No, I don't think we did- wait, how often does he go after Joker?" Wally asked.

"I'm sure you can ask him when he arrives. In the meantime, shall I show you to your rooms?" Alfred asked.

"I'm not staying Alfred, just need to talk to Bruce," Flash said.

"I know, I was speaking more to Master Grayson and Miss Roth.," Alfred said.

"You might as well, always a chance he finds something that holds him up," Robin said.

"Quite so, Master Grayson. If you'll both follow me, I'll take you to your rooms," Alfred said.

Following Alfred, Robin and Raven took their things and left Flash sitting in a chair beside the bat computer. They crossed the metal walkways to an elevator and stepped inside. The three of them were quiet as it took them up to the main level. Alfred led them out of the elevator to the bookcase, which opened to let them into the study. Once it closed behind them, Alfred turned to Robin.

"Forgive me, but I don't want to assume anything, so shall I be showing you both to separate rooms?" Alfred asked.

Raven tensed and shifted her eyes to look at Robin, who had turned red and was in the process of clearing his throat. She tightened her grip on her duffel bag and stood firmly, in spite of herself.

"My uh, my room will work for us," Robin said, "thanks Alfred."

"Of course, Master Grayson," Alfred said with a small nod, then he turned to Raven and smiled, "I take it you're in agreement, Miss Roth?"

"Yes, I am, thank you Alfred," Raven said softly.

"Very well, once Master Grayson removes his mask, you may both follow me," Alfred.

"But Alfred-," Robin started.

"Master Bruce's rules, Master Grayson, you know that," Alfred interrupted.

With a frown, Robin reached up and peeled his mask off his face and slipped it into his bag. Alfred to him and motioned for them both to follow. From the small, cozy study, they walked out into the grand hall and ascended the vast staircase to the second floor, down the lavishly decorated hall to a door at the end of the hall. Alfred opened the door and led the two of them inside. Raven put her bag down on the bed and Robin set his on the floor by a chair. Closing the door behind them, Alfred turned to the pair.

"Is there anything else I may do for you two?" Alfred asked.

"I think we're okay," Robin replied.

"Did you tell Master Wayne about your relationship with Miss Roth?"

"Not uh, not completely."

"If she's sharing your bed while she's here, you may want to consider doing so. You know he has a habit of popping up without warning."

"Thanks for the reminder, I guess I'll talk to him about that too."

"Good. In that case, I'll leave you two alone, and I'll let you know when he arrives."

"Sounds good."

Alfred nodded and left the room. With a sigh, Robin joined Raven. They sat on the edge of the bed together. Neither said anything for a while. It wasn't until Raven tugged on his awareness through their bond that he looked at her. He smiled and chuckled.

"That wasn't as awkward as it could have been," Robin said.

"Lucky us," Raven said.

"Telling the team might be harder," he said.

"We can worry about telling them when they're all back at the tower in one piece," she said.

"Yeah, Beast Boy is the priority right now."

"Would Joker kill him?"

"Only if it he thought it was funny."