Well here is chapter two! Thanks to all of you who reviewed. It really kept me going.

Chapter 2

Disclaimer : Look at Chapter 1

Song is Photograph by Nickleback. I do not own that either.

"I need you to help me bring Terra back to life."

Malchior looked at her in confusion. "That I can do, fair maiden but may I ask why? You do not seem to care for her too much."

The proverbial nail on the head. Yes, Raven hated the woman, and who could blame her? After betraying them like that, only to 'turn good during the last five minutes of the battle.' Just like those stupid cartoons. There was a reason Raven didn't watch American cartoons. They reminded her too much of her own life.

"As much as I hate the stupid bitch for what she did, she apologized and even helped us. So I guess you could say that I owe her one." Lies. All lies. But what could Raven say? It would be selfish and wrong to ignore Beastboy's feelings. He deserved to be happy...even if no one else was.

At the chuckle that escaped Malchior, Raven glared. "It's really not that funny. Now are we taking her to your place or not."

"You are aware that this will take quite a while to complete successfully." He spoke slowly, as if Raven would not understand, something that was beginning to irk the sorceress. There were times when she just decided to brush it off... after all it wasn't like his English was up to date... maybe she was just used to the fast pace of California life.

"Your point?" Raven was getting annoyed. As much as she hated bringing Terra back to life she knew it had to be done. She couldn't stand seeing Beastboy so out of character. Especially since she could feel his pain...

"This could take all night. And don't you have somewhere to go." His eyes had an amused look in them but his face was blank.

"You read my mind? I told you not to do that." She couldn't stop the grin that spread on her face, however. "I'm sure Robin will not mind me taking the day off. Besides I am doing this for the team." Technically this was not true...and they both knew it.

But how was she going to explain to Robin that she somehow met with Malchior, who just 'happened' to escape the cursed book and together they performed some pretty sinister and forbidden magic to bring back someone who betrayed them all? It would be just like asking for a prison sentence!

But all sarcasm aside, Raven was still determined. Because Beastboy should not have to suffer... he deserved happiness.

Malchior laughed again. Raven loved his laugh. It was soft and alluring... Ok why the fuck am I thinking that? "You have to tell me were we are going. I'll teleport us there."

"As you wish." The man replied, a twinkle of amusement in his icy blue eyes.

Upon arriving, the first word echoing in Raven's mind was 'loaded'. Who had he bribed to give him an apartment with an awesome view of the ocean and Tower? It was really expensive to own a condo with a view of the ocean. A view of the Tower as well, only increased the already high leasing rates. "Nice place. You have a really cool view. They say that an apartment with a view of the Tower cost a fortune."

Malchior shrugged and sat down on the sofa "I have... connections." His voice sounded cocky and she smiled slightly and rolled her eyes. Connections...right. Maybe he had joined the mafia business? Raven could see Malchior as a mafia lord, a pretty ruthless one. He pulled Raven down beside him and turned to face her, his blue eyes a little sad. "You are avoiding me, Raven. I feel it. Why?"

Raven froze. Usually she had an answer for everything. This time... she was speechless. "I-I don't know. She dropped her head and began to examine her red painted nails. Why does he have to ask so many questions? Why couldn't he just be happy with the freedom he had?

"Raven you know that I would never hurt you." The man's voice was sorrowful, and it filled Raven's heart with guilt.

He begged for forgiveness, to the point that Raven simply couldn't ignore his pleas. And yet, still she avoided him as if... he would betray her again. It wasn't that she didn't believe him, his apologies had been most sincere. Yet somehow, Raven couldn't fight off the wariness, the suspicion and the fear. Her emotions wouldn't permit her to trust him anymore.

She turned away from his mesmerizing blue eyes. "You did once. how can I be sure you... won't do it again." Her voice dropped to a quiet whisper, and Raven hated herself for sounding so childishly afraid.

Malchior placed one hand on her cheek. "Raven, look at me. I know what I did was wrong and for that I apologize. Please... forgive me, Raven."

"I forgive you." Her voice was hesitant, reluctant and maybe even confused. As if she was fighting with herself. Three simple words, and yet it seemed as if she was resisting death.

So distraught was the sorceress that when Malchior drew her in for a kiss, Raven forgot to resist. On the contrary, Her body seemed to move on it's own. Hands pulled the man closer, tangling fingers in silvery hair. Lips and tongue battled fiercely with his, voice lost in passion, reduced to wanton whimpers and moans.

His hands. Oh Azar, his hands! Malchior's hands were everywhere. On her waist, slowly trailing up her arched back, gliding up the smooth planes of her stomach and torso, softly and gently kneading her breasts. His lips sucked and nipped at her neck, tracing the outline of her collarbone and clouding her mind. Was this what they call passion?

"Sweet Raven..." His low, soft murmur washed over the sorceress dragging her deeper into the lust induced haze. Swiftly, Raven was trapped between the arm of the couch and Malchior's bare muscled torso. The man's thumbs ran slowly up and down the back of Raven's neck, numbing the teen. How could he have known about her sensitive her neck?

Raven gasped in surprise, as she felt Malchior's tongue flick over her hardened nipples. "M-Malch-ahh!" He ran his tongue over her nipple again, eyes staring up at her with a look that only intensified the growing heat within her.

Malchior's mouth captured her nipple, sucking gently. Raven arched her back, a loud moan escaping her clenched teeth. Icy hands, worked on the other breast, pinching and massaging...Oh Azar, why did sin feel so good? Why was this wrong?

"Malchior. Please, Ple-ahh! No more. I-uhh! We can't." The teen panted out, immediately regretting her words as the man pulled away, a guilty look replacing his lust-filled eyes.

Guilt, Malchior didn't need to feel guilty. She could have stopped him earlier...but why was it so wrong? He wasn't dating someone like Robin was, he wasn't seeing her behind his girlfriend's back. Raven's eyes clouded with malice and disappointment. Shaking hands clenched the rumpled red blouse trying to block out the feeling of shame. Once again, her emotions took control. Once again.

Violet orbs stared at Malchior, eyeing him quietly as he slowly pulled on his t-shirt. So many scars decorated his body...so many scars. Where did they come from? And why weren't they removed when she conjured up his body from the book? Were they some kind of curse? Maybe an incantation to prevent people from stealing his magic?

Raven herself had one such scar... well more of a tattoo. Etched forever into her body by the burning fires of hell. Did Malchior's scars hurt as much as hers did? Or was he lucky to have a merciful master. The sorceress continued to watch silently, as the bare carpeted floor soon filled with strange objects and drawings.

"Raven, come."

That voice. Why did it melt her heart? Why did it cause butterflies to float up from her stomach? She felt like a stove struck high-school kid...oh wait, she was a high school kid. "Yes." A whisper, a timid and shameful whisper. This was worse than begging. Why, Azar? Why must I go through heat now? Why couldn't this have happened earlier...maybe perhaps before that man was released?

" Are you sure you want to do this? You seem distracted." The concern in Malchior's voice sent shivers up Raven's spine.

"I am fine." Raven spoke those words confidently...ignoring the emotions welling up within her.

"She is ready. All I need you to do is contact her soul."

Raven unconsciously shuddered. She hated that feeling when people from the past visited her in her sleep. Those tormenting screams that spill from their disfigured, bloody lips. The hanging, awkwardly placed limbs...the cold feeling as their dead fingers curl over your neck, slowly sqeezing...

No, must be no mistakes tonight. Not if she was to face Beastboy and Robin again. If this were to work, Raven would be let off the hook. And then she could live as she wanted...free and without constraints.

oOoOo

Spots danced before her, crazed and frenzy in their movement. They spun, those spots trembled and quivered as they circled around her, sending the woman further into the depths of her dark mind. In her ears, the distant sound of her heart echoed. She was still alive...right?

Violet eyes fluttered open, then squeezed shut as the light seared her iris. She was now spinning, going round and round... her head began to ache fiercely. Had something gone wrong?

She wasn't supposed to get any side-effects. Raven opened her eyes once more, slowly this time and slowly began to sit up. Hands flailed out beside her, looking for something to brace against. The feeling of soft demin greeted her. Head turned swiftly, purple eyes met ice blue orbs. "Malchior." Raven whispered, then slumped to the floor, head pounding once more. "What...happened?"

"You started having seizures." Are you sure you are alright?" Malchior's concerned eyes bore deep into her violet orbs. It was frightening. This unconditional worry and concern.

Raven started to wonder whether he was acting this way unconsciously...or if he had an ulterior motive. Whatever the man's plans were, Raven doubted they would even be harmful. She may have freed the dragon of her own free will, but that didn't mean he would have all the powers he previously possessed. There were spells for such people, those driven by inhumane instinct. Raven was an expert on such things...she was a recipient of such a spell herself.

Silence reigned in the brightly lit room as Malchior hoisted the weak titan into his arms. The man quietly carried the woman to the sofa and placed her down, cautioning against movement. Quietly, the man brushed Raven's tousled bangs from her eyes in an effort to cool the flushed pale skin.

"Malchior?" Raven's voice sounded unbearably timid, and weak. It irked the teenager to feel like this. To lie here and be tired and helpless. To be the damsel in distress. Raven hated such scenarios...especially when she herself was caught up in them. But what else could she do? Raven couldn't deny the tired ache of her muscles and the unbearable sparks of pain in her head.

"Yes, love?" That soft, gentle low voice. Why was Malchior so...so perfect? Why was he everything that she wished for?

Well, everything but one. Raven couldn't understand him. Try as she might, Raven could never understand this alluring man before her. His strange and perhaps odd infatuation of her. The way his eyes lit up at the mention of spell books and unsolved mysteries.

The quiet adoration in his icy blue eyes when he listened to Mozart and Bach. The infuriatingly cute way Malchior wrinkled his nose after encountering something 'detestable'. It was such a strange, cat-like expression, Raven thought. And his accent, the slightly Scottish and slightly Spanish pronunciation that warmed Raven's insides every time he spoke.

The sharp, cultured point of his nose and the sophisticated pucker of his delicately set lips. Malchior's lips were a mystery. Almost perfect and yet...not. Almost Tom Welling and yet...not. Yes, Malchior was one big mystery...and it saddened the sorceress.

"You, you understand me, right? It's one thing that I have always wanted from someone." Violet eyes stared at the light grey carpeting. "Why can't I understand you, then?" Frustration edged into the teenager's voice.

Raven never had trouble understanding other people before. Beastboy and Starfire were like open books. Speedy, Cyborg and Bee were different, more reserved and challenging at times. They could be likened to a Sudoku puzzle.

But Aqualad and Robin... those two were difficult. Evasive, calculating and oh, so conniving. Everything Raven was good at. But Malchior...he was none of those things. Neither evasive, calculating or easy-to-read. Malchior was blank. Who was he waiting for to fill the pages of his life? Certainly not her...He knew the rules.

"There is no easy answer. Perhaps our fates are not as connected as we thought. Perhaps the gods are against our being together. As they should." Calm, collected and suave. A reasonable answer.

Raven wasn't satisfied. "No, don't blame it on fate. Robin doesn't understand me, and yet..." Eyes closed in shame and self-loathing. And yet they still carried on with their stupid games. And yet they continued to betray Starfire.

"Yet what, Raven?" The curiosity brimming in his eyes and voice angered the sorceress. It was obviously forced and meaningless. He knew the truth...he had always known the truth.

Eyes flickered open, silently cursing the bright lights. No doubt the blush on her cheeks were visible. "Yet nothing. Don't act as if you don't know." It would only create more pain in Raven's heart. What did she look like in his eyes? Was she still his 'sweet Raven'?

Of course not...he wouldn't think of her that way anymore. No, Raven was no doubt a whore in Malchior's mind. It was a consequence she justly deserved. No man would think highly about anyone who slept with their best-friend's boyfriend. No man would want such a person.

"Raven. Wouldn't I be just as guilty? Wouldn't I be just as horrible... horrible for trying to take advantage of a minor?"

Raven's heart felt heavy. He was right. Perhaps the gods were against them after all. It seemed that in every possible way, Raven and Malchior were not destined for each other. He was a powerful sorcerer, a magician and dragon. A union between someone like him and a half-demon would be met with swift repercussions. And what about Raven's condition?

How could she stay friends with him...without wanting more? And Robin...Robin the Righteous, would certainly be opposed to any kind of involvement with Malchior. He'd probably imprison them both. "There's no hope? We have to give up, just like that? I don't want that! I don't want to lose you too! Malchior, I-I.."

The former dragon pulled the distraught teen into his arms. Arms wrapped tightly around her waist, face buried in the crook of her neck. The sound of the ticking clock faded into the distance. All he heard was the steady beating of Raven's heart. One he could never hope to have. "I love you too, Sweet Raven."

The Tower was strangely silent when Raven returned the next day, violet eyes brooding and a bag of assorted donuts in her tight grasp. Raven needed to keep a tight grip, otherwise she probably would have eaten the whole box. But seriously, where was everyone today? Had there been an outing that Raven wasn't aware of?

Raven wasn't expecting to see Starfire dash into the room, on roller-skates. What was going on? And wait, weren't those roller blades...the purple and black design, the worn out wheels and the scuff marks...those roller blades! Why was Starfire wearing her roller skates?

Beastboy dashed into the room, thankfully wearing socks. The shapeshifter wasn't the best coordinated person...to put him on roller skates would be disastrous. Raven eyed them with a mixture of amusement and regret.

"DONUTS!" The shapeshifter cried out in glee. Eagerly the titan snatched the bag from Raven's hands and retreated into the kitchen, Starfire wheeling over as well. They were so happy, so carefree. A bubble of laughter escaped Raven's lips. What she would give to smile like that...

Purple eyes turned, landing on the Boy Wonder who now stood beside the window, arms crossed lips turned down in an attractive frown. Raven could hear the impatient tapping of his shoes against the floor. He was pissed. And with reason. She hadn't received permission to stay out last night. Raven wasn't sure she could deal with him right now.

She was tired, annoyed and depressed.

Anyone would feel this way after being forced to give up someone they love. It hurt...really hurt. But what could Raven have expected? Fate had never smiled upon her. Raven had been born in evil, lived in isolation and fear. She had been forced to watch her only friend die...forced to watch as he took his final breath.

Raven was forced to feel his body grow cold with death, forced to acknowledge that she couldn't do anything to save him. And now this. Malchior, the only one in this whole world to understand how she felt. The only one to love her without fault.

Now fate would take him too. Why? What crime had she committed to suffer through all this? What atrocities was she guilty of that would make her lie through such pain?

Why were the gods against her finding happiness? Would they not permit her to be at peace? Would they not allow her to live out her days happy, carefree and peaceful? Why must she suffer like this?

Fine. Let them continue to look down on her. Let the gods do what they will.

Raven didn't care.

Her solution was simple. No more love. Not now, not ever. Wasn't it love that caused her best friend to die? He loved her...and she loved him too. But he died. Malchior loved her...and she loved him too. And the gods want to take him away. Let them continue this mistreatment. Her solution was simple. Raven won't fall in love. Not now, not ever.

How hard would that be? It was simply a matter of killing that emotion within her. A simple solution. Very easy.

oOoOo

"Robin, do you not want some donuts? I saved you some." Starfire's innocent inquiring voice drew Robin's gaze from the ocean to the alien's green eyes. A soft smile was on her face, and Robin bit mack a chuckle at the jerky, unstable movements the teen made as she tried to balance on Raven's roller skates.

"Thanks, Starfire." He grinned and turned back to the window, not wanting his girlfriend to see his frustrated frown.

"Sure."

The Boy Wonder watched as the alien turned and gracefully rode away, leaving him to his feelings of guilt and shame. Starfire didn't deserve someone like him. Someone who ignored and cast her aside. Someone who couldn't leave his work alone to spend time with her. Someone who was sleeping with her best friend in secret.

Why did he do it? Green Gloved hands clenched tightly, and Robin sucked in an angry breath. From the glass window, the once calm ocean now raged quietly, a strange murky and cloudy blue. Was it supposed to rain today? Why else would the ocean seem so despondent, so responsive to his feelings? Ice blue eyes closed tightly.

The memories were still there. The strange bout of insomnia, the endless pacing up and down the halls. In the darkened hallway, Robin remembered seeing the small sliver of light streaming from the sorceress' room. A sigh of relief had washed over him at that realization, she was awake! Raven was awake...and there was someone who could listen, who could understand. Robin felt so happy, felt so relieved in that instant!

Bruce always warned him to knock before entering... it was polite. His mother always told him to knock first before opening any closed door. So why did he break that rule? Couldn't he have spared a few seconds to knock? Maybe then, Raven would have had some warning. Maybe then Raven could have thrown on the black fluffy bath-robe she never used.

That night, the smell of lavender and incense filled his nostrils. The dim, florescent light dilated his pupils. The sight of Raven's lean torso and turgid breasts dried his mouth. The scene of Raven's hands slowly rubbing lotion on her thighs roused his nether region.

He recalled standing there simply fixated between the doorway, watching Raven like a depraved voyeur. Maybe he was a depraved voyeur. It seemed like an eternity had passed before Raven turned her head, seductive violet eyes doing nothing to hide the growing tent in his trousers.

The Raven he knew would never look like that. Robin should have remembered this fact. He should have known that something was wrong. That maybe her emotions were not under control. But his feet betrayed him. Instead of backing out, they slowly entered in.

And his eyes revolted. Instead of turning away...of looking elsewhere, they only continued to drink in Raven's unclothed body. And his hands? Oh god, his hands wanted nothing more than to touch, to feel her creamy grey skin, to touch her ruby red lips, to tangle themselves within her thick tresses.

Robin lost his resolve that night. Perhaps he also lost a friend as well.

It should have ended that night. Nothing more should have occurred. But Robin had already taken that first step. He had opened the door, tasted the forbidden fruit. He let it consume him.

To this day he cannot break free. And now every glance into Starfire's innocent green eyes only fills him with sorrow more bitter than gall.

Look at this photograph
Every-time I do it makes me laugh

How did our eyes get so red
And what the hell was on Joey's head

Why did all the music on his ipod sound so...sorrowful? Why did this song make him thing about home? His small two-story home in the suburbs of Quebec? The prickly pine shrubs by the front door and the carved wooden chimes that blew when the front door opened. His mother carved those chimes... where were those pictures?

Hands sifted through several boxes, pushing aside bubble wrap school notebooks and binders. Ah, there it was. The leather bound photo album, one of the only things that remained of his strange and eccentric mother. The young man opened the book slowly, eyes twinkling with excitement. His brother always was the clown. What were they doing here? Why was this picture taken?

This is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up

I never knew we ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneakin' out.

The pages rustled softly in the tranquility of his living room. His ipod continued playing softly, belting out the slightly sad tunes. What was it with sad stuff today? Eyes landed once more on a picture of the small house, old white Toyota Camry and two despondent children, all dressed up for school. Those uniforms, how could he forget those uniforms?

And this is where I went to school
Most of the time I had better things to do

Criminal record says I broke it twice
I must have done it half a dozen times

The blue shirt, black trousers and stiff uncomfortable blazer? The catholic school his father insisted he attend, claiming that 'his sons were too good for public school'. The despondent look in his mother's eyes as she ironed out his clothes for the week, mumbling in a language that he knew but was forbidden to speak.

Yes, his mother spoke Algonquin, fluently. It was her mother tongue, after all. Before he started going to school, it had been all he'd ever known as well. Those first few years of primary school were spent 'undoing the damage his mother had caused'.

Of course his father had not been pleased. To this day he still was not pleased. Only the gods could understand his father's complicating thoughts. Perhaps they could explain to him why he was the one to be sent to foster care, instead of his happy-go- lucky brother.

I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate

Lot's better now that it was back then
If I was them I wouldn't let me in...

A sigh escaped the man's lips, and he began to flip the pages more rapidly, trying to keep from becoming lost once more in his slightly fucked up past. What else could you call it? How else could you explain a father that willfully abandons his son, simply because his looks were 'capable of causing psychological trauma'?

"Cousine, ce que tu fais?" The soft voice suddenly echoed in his ears, and the man whirled around, golden eyes meeting a pair of quizzical blue orbs. Why did everyone on his father's side look that way?

Even his own brother had blonde hair and bright baby blue eyes...no one ever believed they were brothers. And no one would believe that this blonde-haired, blue eyed teenager staring at him was his cousin. "Just trying to find a picture." The man replied in English, not bothering to translate. She could understand... Jessica was smart like that.

Every memory of lookin' out the back door,
I have the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor,

It's hard to say it,
Time to say it,
Good bye, good bye.

"Of your mother?" I framed those the other day. Beside the shoe rack." The teenager replied, the curiosity still evident in her light airy voice.

"No. Something else." A picture of someone, a thief. With his black costume and glowing red X. He happened to take that photo one night. It was purely accidental. But as they say, accidents are the beginning of greatness.

Every memory of walkin' out the back door,
I found the photo of the person I was looking for,

He knew who owned that suit. He'd spent three years in Gotham city with his foster parents. One doesn't easily forget three years...nor can one forget the masked heroes who protected the city streets. So at first glance, the truth was revealed. And soon that suit would be his. Then everything would be solved.

He could pay off his debts, and the blackmails would stop. He would live a normal like he always wanted. But first, he needed to let go of the past. He needed to put everything and everyone behind him. His father, his brother. His foster parents. Everyone.

It's hard to say it,
Time to say it
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye...

Special thanks to buddybuddy96 for all the help and suggestions! I really appreciated it. :)

~heartless16