Chapter 48

Happy 2019! I know it's been damn near forever since I last saw you guys. I apologize for that. A mix of craziness and writer's block have kept me away from my favorite stories. I'm hoping to change that, however. If you'll indulge me a little here, I'd like to explain a bit for my absence, I'll admit it's a bit on the personal side, however enough time has passed to where I feel I can share. So, it's no small feet to figure out that Raven is an extension of myself and how I would react to the world of DC heroes. I started this story in high school, and I never expected so many people to want to keep reading the Adventures of Ravenna. So, to keep readers happy I went back through old stories I had decided to scrap from the original fiction and use them in a what if scenario. (Oh, don't get me wrong I love writing for Raven, as much as I enjoy writing for her daughter. Thanks to you readers they've grown into some of the best characters I've ever created), some of them have yet to come about this current story arch, was never intended. Klarion was supposed to be an asshole, and they were supposed to break up, however I never realized how much from my actual life I was drawing from until I started having troubles in my own relationship. Then Klarion became my significant other of that time, my S.O. wasn't nearly as physically abusive as he had become, however they was just as controlling. I felt any project I started I'd have to run them, that anything I posted would be met with a myriad of questions, psychoanalysis, and them reading meaning in something there was none. Any song I'd cover, any art I'd do, my only place of retreat was this site, and this fanfiction where my S.O. didn't—couldn't—read. After I ended things with them I stopped writing all together and I noticed the parallels in my story, and I felt that perhaps I took things to a point where things couldn't recover. I had to think long and hard of a way to get things back on track, and I still haven't entirely figured it out. So, many of these next few chapters are going to be Raven struggling to find what she wants in life, dealing with her past mistakes, and struggling to regain her own independence from her past relationship. It's gonna be some slice of life stuff for a while until I can get the ball rolling again, which for the most part was supposed to happen originally. For those wondering, yes I'm ok now. Thanks to some very supporting, trustworthy friends, I've managed to get back on my feet emotionally. Now, let's hope Raven can do the same. ONWARD TO THE BATTLE FIELD!

Leland sat quiet behind her desk for a long time after Raven finished describing her last nightmare. It made Raven feel a bit uneasy, however, she knew that it did no good to not talk about it. Dr. Leland's office was a safe place to unload her issues, even if it was court mandated. She sat in the leather chair across the desk, shifted uncomfortably under the oversized pink kitten sweater that Sue-sue had lent her as she waited for Leland to respond.

"This dark place you described in the dream…" she began, "I'll be honest, I don't know what to make of it."

"Oh." Was all Raven responded with as she absent mindedly pet her familiar's head. Leland sighed.

"I'm sorry Raven, I really am. However, all this magic, I find hard to wrap my head around." She admitted, "They don't exactly teach magical trauma in my profession. Though after you're finished here I'm sure they'll start."

"Well, at least some good can come out of all the shit I caused." Raven said dryly. However, she wasn't sure why she was giving attitude. Of course Dr. Leland wouldn't be able to make anything of the dark place she'd been sent to, most people didn't know magic existed, and even less believed it actually did. She sighed and slumped in her chair as she looked up at the ceiling.

"I know you're frustrated Raven, however I'm glad you're becoming more open about these nightmares your having." Leland said assuringly, "I'm even happier to hear that nothing has happened in the real world while you're dreaming."

"I'm sure Haven House is just as thrilled about that last part." Raven joked, "I still have no idea why, or even how I set fire to the bed at Arkham."

"We'll figure these things out in time Raven." Leland said, "Though I'm interested to hear how this friendship is blossoming between you and Sue-sue."

"She's a good person."

"Have you told her about your abilities?"

Raven shook her head, "No."

"Why not? You know, you won't be able to maintain a stable relationship with people if you aren't open with them." Leland advised. Raven sighed.

"I don't want to scare her off. Bad enough this other girl at Haven thinks I'm crazy because she caught me talking to Cherie, I don't want Sue-sue to think I'm crazy too." She explained as she looked to Leland, she liked Sue-sue, after the night before she felt she'd gotten closer to having a real friend again. It felt nice and she didn't want to ruin that by spilling the beans about exactly why she was there. "Besides, I have no idea what she's done to end up there."

"True, very true." Leland said as she held her pen in her hands, "But this isn't about Sue-sue's behavior, it's about yours. I won't tell you want to do, it's up to you to decide if you want to tell her one day."

"I know." Raven mumbled. "For now though, I think I'll keep it a secret. I mean I've only been there a few days. Maybe after the nightmares stop."

"Alright." Leland said with a smile, "Now, do you want to talk about what you want to do after you leave Haven house?"

"Well, I don't suppose anyone's gonna hire me what with the whole, leveling half of Gotham." Raven admitted. "But, I'd like to leave Gotham."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I never wanted to live in this City." Raven explained, "My dad got transferred and he got the choice between here and Metropolise. I'd like to live there."

"Why's that?"

Raven perked, "Well, for one the crime rate is lower, I figure maybe I won't get into as much trouble there. There's a lot more to do there, the technology that comes from the city is amazing, and I've just always wanted to live there since I was little."

"There's also superman…." Leland offered. Raven slumped her shoulders.

"Oh. Yeah. There's that." She mumbled, "I forgot."

There was a small silence before she began again, "Well I don't care. It's not like I want to start any trouble there. I just want to live my life, as a normal person. Well as normal as someone like me can be. Maybe I can work for a publishing firm."

"A publishing firm?" Leland interjected, "So you like to write."

"Well…I mean…I used to…"Raven felt her cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Leland smiled.

"Fiction?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, then," She began as she reached into her desk and withdrew a notebook, "I think I may have found a way to really help you."

Dr. Leland placed the note on her desk and slid it towards Raven, who reached over and picked it up. It wasn't anything special, just a plain black spiral notebook filled with line paper. Raven looked to the good doctor.

"I want you to keep a journal. You can write whatever you want. You could even make stuff up and turn it into a work of fiction if you want. So long as you write in it." Leland explained, Raven cocked an eyebrow.

"And you think this will help…what exactly?" Raven asked, skeptic.

"Well your violent temper for one thing. Don't think I've forgotten about the incident in Arkham's cafeteria." Said Leland with a pointed tone. Raven frowned. The Good doctor was referring to her bouts of violence towards the other inmates at Arkham. She wasn't super strong, but she was by no means weak, as she recalled a time when Johnathan Crane AKA Scarecrow made a psychological analysis about her home life. It had pissed her off something fierce and she'd smacked the former professor upside the head with her lunch tray. It got her put in solitary confinement and later earned her a long lecture from Poison Ivy about the whole thing.

"I only hit him once." She mumbled.

"Regardless Raven, we can't have you getting violent with the people at Haven." Leland said. "I'm already aware that you've made at least one enemy there."

"Ok, first of all, I didn't do anything to her." Raven hissed as she sat up straight in her chair, "She's the one pushing my buttons."

"You're proving my point Raven." Was all Leland said. Raven's face flushed red with frustration as she sat back and placed her head on her hand.

"It's still true…" She grumbled. Leland sighed.

"Need I remind you that Haven is your last chance at redemption?" she asked. Raven bit her lip.

"No. I know." She mumbled as she placed her hand on Cherie's head. The feline in her lap purred softly, happy to have his partner pet him. "Look, I'm really trying here."

"I know you are Raven. However, unlike most of the girls at Haven, you can't afford any mishaps." Leland said gently, then added, "And contrary to what you might think, I don't want to see you behind bars."

Raven bit her lip and said nothing.

"You have a lot of potential to do good Raven. Even if that good is only for yourself." She continued. "Promise to write in that notebook?"

"Yeah…I promise."

"Good. Then let's end things here, and I'll see you tomorrow." Leland said as she stood. Raven nodded as she too stood holding her new notebook in her hand. Before she left, she looked back at the Good Doctor.

"Don't you find it kinda pointless for me to come in every day?" She asked. Leland smiled.

"I know it seems tedious, but I think it's a good thing for you." She said, "I'm not going to give up on you, so try to do the same for yourself."

Raven didn't have response to that. Instead she just let her sapphire eyes fall to the ground and nodded as she silently exited the office.

Once again Raven was left to her own thoughts during her walk back to Haven. What Leland had said about not giving up on her really struck a strange chord, it made her think about past relationships. Well, relationship. Singular. She thought about Zatanna, or Mary as she'd known her for five years. That was it, Zatanna had been her friend since she first transferred into Gotham high. Even when she met Klarion and started hurting people she still saw Raven as her friend. She even visited her when she was in Arkham. The fact that she still lied would never leave her mind however, and she meant it when she told her she never wanted to see her again. It was better that way, because, even at that moment when she thought about Zatanna, it made her blood boil. She may not have manipulated her like Klarion or Uriah, or even that college boy had, but she still hid the one thing Raven wanted so desperately in life. Klarion gave it to her, Uriah tried to take it away. No, the only real friend Raven could trust had four legs and fur.

'Raven, my love, I am flattered.' Cherie purred as he walked in front of her on the sidewalk. 'However, we both know that is not entirely the case.'

Raven frowned.

'Well, you are currently wearing her clothes.' He pointed out. Raven looked down at her sweater and felt her face turn red. That was true, she had Sue-sue. Somehow the girl had managed to worm her way into Raven's heart (a heart, that, she was still surprised her even had). Hopefully she'd be able to repay sue-sue for her kindness.

'And if things do not pan out with the that feline strangling human,' Cherie began as he spotted a fluttering leave that demanded to be pounced on, 'There is always Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.'

"I don't think Ivy wants me to come back." Raven mumbled. It sort of hurt to think that way, seeing how Ivy had been the one to help her the most. Her and Harley—well, Harley was there for moral support—had been the main reasons she decided to get better. However, in doing so that meant she'd never be able to see either of them again. At least not without coming under suspicion with every law enforcement agent within all the major cities.

'True, I also believe she does not wish you back in the embrace of criminal activity,' he said as he tangled with the evil leaf that dared to mock him, 'However I also believe that the plant woman would be happy to see you doing well. She and the clown both.'

Raven sighed as she walked down the street. It would be nice to tell them how far she'd gotten so far. However, the closest she'd be able to do that would be if they happened to hold up a store that she was in, and even that would be risky. So instead she'd have to be content with watching their escapades on the news. Raven stopped as she passed an electronics store which had tv screens in the window, depicting just that.

Harley and Ivy, together again after months of lying low. Was what the reporter said. Raven watched as cellphone footage captured video of the two riding a mutant plant root as they fled authorities. Raven watched and secretly rooted for their escape from police and batman. As she watched, she couldn't help but notice that this happened not far from where she was. Probably only a couple blocks away really. She debated briefly going there to see if she could maybe spot them, when Cherie clawed at her borrowed jeans.

'Need I remind you that you are supposed to check back in with Haven house?' he pointed out. Raven grumbled, the white and black feline had a point. If she didn't get there soon it would count against her when she made the request to leave. She was just about to head in that direction when a man in a business suit walked past her.

"Fuckin freaks. Dunno why they let crazies on the street." He just barely mumbled. Raven stopped short, below her she heard Cherie trying to calm her down, however it was in vain. She spun around to address the man who had stopped to wait for the cross light to turn green.

"Hey! You! Asshole!" She shouted as she stepped toward him. The man in question looked alarmed, clearly he had not expected her to have heard him. Raven glared at him as she held up her middle finger. "Fuck you! You judgmental fucking dick hole! I didn't ask your fucking opinion!"

By now people were looking at the duo as Raven shouted at the man. She glared up at him, who the hell was this jerk to call her crazy? She hadn't done anything that would warrant that sort of response. She was minding her own business, watching the news like anyone else on the street. The man in the suit took a step back.

"Can somebody get this crazy person away from me?" He said as he stood holding his briefcase to his chest. Raven, clenched her jaw and balled up her fists.

"I am NOT crazy!" She shouted as a stray police officer walked up behind her.

"Is there a problem here?" He asked as he placed his hand on his belt. Raven stopped, she didn't have to see him to realize who it was. Detective Bullock, the officer who had arrested her months back, causing her to be sent to Arkham and the subsequent reformation. Current situation not a good excluded. "Hey I know you."

"Fuck." Raven grumbled under her breath as she turned her head to address the fat detective.

"Raven Blau." He said as he placed his arms over his chest, "Almost didn't recognize you in all that…. color. Causing trouble, I see."

Upon hearing her name, the man in the suit made a quick getaway across the street. Apparently, that was one person who recognized her name and the hell it had caused. Raven huffed and turned in the opposite direction.

"Screw you. I'm having a bad day." She growled as she picked up Cherie.

"I heard you'd gotten out on parole." Bullock said, Raven said nothing. "Attacking civilians can be seen as a violation yaknow. As can skipping your court mandated therapy."

"I didn't attack anyone!" She spat, "And I just got out of therapy. Go ask Dr. Leland ya creep."

"So then, wanna explain what that was? Or why you're not at Haven house?" He asked as he towered over the young witch girl. Raven glared up at him, she was so ready for this day to be done now. It had started off so well too; she'd gotten closer to Sue-sue, didn't see Brit, got to see Harley and Ivy on tv. Now some asshole had to make it worse. If it weren't for the collar, she'd have made the suit regret calling her crazy.

"Again, screw you." She hissed and went to walk away when Bullock grabbed her arm.

"Oh no ya don't. You're gonna come down to the station and explain why you aren't at Haven right now." He said as he started dragging Raven towards his car, which was conveniently parked just ahead of them. Raven went wide eyed.

"That's an easy one." She said with fake enthusiasm, "Because you're keeping me from walking there."

"So then if we were to show up at Haven and talk to the person in charge, they won't tell me you've been skipping out?"

"Be my friggin guest! While you're at it, why not call Dr. Leland!" Raven spat as they stopped at his car.

"Alright then, I will." He said, then opened the back door, "Get in."

In the back of Raven's head she could hear Cherie giving her a small lecture about not letting foolish things get under her skin. She should have listened to him, he said to her, that she should have just walked away and none of this would have happened. That look what happens when she let her temper get the better of her, that this was her own fault and—Raven threw her arms up in frustration, "Alright, alright already I get it!"

Bullock frowned. Not privy to the mental criticism she was getting from her familiar. Raven sighed, and begrudgingly climbed inside and waited for bullock to drive off.

"So wanna explain what you were doin?" he asked as he drove down the street. Judging from the familiar sights, Raven guessed he was going to Haven and not the GCPD station down town. Much to her relief. She took a deep breath as she crossed her arms.

"The guy called me a freak and a crazy." She sighed with annoyance, "I'm not a freak, and I'm not crazy."

"Right, because a sane person tells a guy on the street to go screw himself with a rusty pipe after supposedly leaving from therapy." Bullock mocked. Raven scowled.

"I didn't say that." She hissed, though she did think it. Bullock rolled his eyes.

"No, I'll give ya that much." He said.

"Oh well thank god for small favors." Raven retorted sarcastically, a growl from Cherie in her lap warned her to cool her temper, "I'm not crazy, I had a mental lapse in judgement. That's all. If I hadn't been sent to Arkham you wouldn't even had thought twice about what just happened."

"Yeah well, fact is, ya did and I am." Bullock said as he turned down another street. "And you just so happened to be down the block from where your pals Harley and Ivy knocked over a jewelry store a few minutes before."

"A literal coincidence." Raven growled, it didn't take a genius to figure out he was fishing for information about the duo. Though she had to admit, at least the fat cop actually did his job. "I haven't spoken to either of them since they broke out of Arkham, months before I got out on parole."

"Uhuh." Was all bullock said as he stopped at a light and looked down at his phone, "Well lucky for you your story about being with Leland checks out."

"Shocker."

"Don't get smart with me witch-girl, I can still haul you in for harassment." He threatened. Raven glared.

"Good luck getting that to stick. I didn't assault the guy and he took off the second you said my name." she said smugly, "No charges filed, no detainment. Now take me to Haven House."

Inwardly, Raven knew she was being a bitch and that Bullock had every reason to be suspicious of anything she said. However, in that moment she was pissed off and just wanted to get through the rest of the day without incident. Lesson learned, don't go off on some rando on the street just because he called you crazy. In retrospect, claiming to not be crazy while screaming at a stranger didn't make her look very sane.

The rest of the trip was short and taken in silence until they made it to Haven House. From there she was forced to sit outside Gisselle Dvorak's office while the Detective Bullock checked to see if Raven was telling the truth.

'This would not have happened had you not caused a scene.' Cherie sighed.

"I know."

'Next time we may not be so lucky!'

"I know."

'that man could have had you arrested!'

"For christ's sake Cherie, I know!" Raven shouted. "I dunno why the guy got under my skin so easily ok?! I was in a great mood until that point! You think I don't know I could have been sent back? Would you please, just lay off!?"

Raven huffed and leaned her head against the wall as she crossed her arms over her chest. Cherie sighed, nuzzling his partner's neck and purred. 'I am sorry Raven. I am just worried, you were doing so well today and yet, you let some human male get to you.'

"I assure you, the girls at our halfway house are all doing what they can to get back on their feet. Including Miss Blau. I don't think we should hold one bad day against her. Do you?" Raven heard Gisselle say as she and Bullock exited her office. Bullock frowned. Apparently, he was somewhat disappointed to find out that Raven had been telling the truth. He looked down at Raven who was still sitting. Upon the sight of him she sat up and shot him a sarcastic wide-eyed smile, as if to silently tell him to fuck off.

"You're lucky Blau." He said. Raven, keeping her disingenuous smirk waved him off. When he left the smile instantly vanished.

"Limp dick." She mumbled, then froze as she felt Gisselle standing over her. Raven's attitude adjusted.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that stuff like this isn't tolerated here. Do I?" She asked. Raven shook her head. "Good. You can go now."

Raven nodded and left to go to the room that she shared with Sue-sue. The second she opened the door she was ambushed with a hug from the aforementioned roommate who broke away almost as quickly as she'd latched on.

"OMG! Raven, I saw you get dropped off by that detective guy! What happened?" she asked as she held Raven's shoulders. Raven blinked as her brain tried to catch up to all that had happened in the span of two seconds. When she did she relaxed a bit.

"Right. So, remember that talk we had about my temper?" She asked as she shrugged her way out of Sue-sue's grip. "Yeah. I'm still working on that."

"How come you were brought back in a police car?" Sue-sue followed up, Raven sighed.

"I don't really wanna talk about it." She said as she walked towards her bed, on her nightstand she noticed a strange little rose bush sitting on it. She looked to Sue-sue who, already let the topic slide, "What's this?"

"Oh! Your aunt came by, I told her you had gone out, so she left it there with a note." Sue-sue explained. Raven nodded then stopped short.

"Wait what?" Raven didn't have an aunt.

Who's this mystery aunt? Why did Raven suddenly go ballistic on some random guy on the street? Could it be connected to the nightmares? And the question on everyone's mind I'm sure, Where the hell is Klarion?! I mean after all, this is a Klarion X OC story right? Yes. Yes it is, and I assure you all he will return. Just as soon as I deal with the things I mentioned in the above A/N. in the meantime, I have Ko-fi account now. So if you want to help support me, please check out my profile, every little bit helps and will keep me writing these fictions for days to come. And don't worry guys, I'm writing the next chapter as we speak. See you guys there!