7. Communication at Last

For the next couple days Erika hid in the lowest parts of Titans Tower, thinking. How was she going to keep Raven off her back, and how could she prove to Robin that she wouldn't cause them any harm. She spent her time down there hoping that no one knew where she was. Out of all of the Titans, only one did. Robin had seen her retreat down to the depths of the tower. This too was his favorite place to think. However, he figured she could have it, for the moment.

Robin stood in the shadows watching Erika. He liked to watch her stumble around and talk to herself. Lately this had become his favorite pastime. Why she fascinated him so much, he had no clue. She was different, so lost and simple, yet angry and manipulative. And as hard as it was for him to believe it, he actually enjoyed watching her for hours on end.

"Hey man! What are you doing? Cyborg asked, coming up behind Robin.

"Shh, Cyborg, look."

"Hey look it's the little trouble maker, so that's where she-. Hey what are you doing down here?" He said with a suspicious tone.

"Don't worry about it. Look at her, what do you think she's doing."

"You think I know? I'm not the one who's been spying on her for the past three days."

"I'm not spying on her." Robin said becoming more defensive.

"Then what would you call it?"

"Look I'm just making sure she keeps away from Raven. Since Beast Boy said she's staying we don't need constant fighting between them."

"Right, whatever you say." Still not believing a word he was saying.

"I wonder what she's talking about. Maybe we should get closer?"

"I have a better idea. Instead of sneaking around why don't we just ask her."

"No that'd be too-, that's a great idea!"

"Robin, I was only kidding. It's a terrible idea." Cyborg grabbed a hold of Robin's cape to keep him stationary. "What are you doing? You're acting like Beast Boy."

After several minutes he returned to his normal self and answered, "Truth, I don't have any clue. I couldn't control myself."

Erika sat on a large metal box. Suddenly she began hearing voices. She closed her eyes and focused her mind. An image began to appear. The voices belonged to Cyborg and Robin. They were watching her from not very far away. When they were looking away from her, she walked around behind them. Then she placed her hand on Robin's shoulder and asked, "Why are you watching me?"

Robin turned around and Erika quickly pulled her hood over her face to hide her blushing. He was caught. He didn't figure this was going to happen so he didn't know what to do. Thinking quickly he began to say, "Erika I-"

"I believe your words were I don't want to hear it." She said cutting him off while turning to leave.

"Erika I'm sorry, I was wrong."

"You were wrong? That's right, you were! You didn't even give me a chance to tell you what was going on. No, you'd much rather think that Raven was innocent. She didn't act that way before I got here, so it had to be entirely my fault! And now all you can think to say is you're sorry! Well…well." Erika turned around and threw her arms around Robin. She did it so quickly that her hood fell of to reveal she was crying. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have, thank you."

There was nothing more he could do. Erika was an emotional wreck. She needed help; she needed someone she could count on. Robin wasn't sure he could be that person, but really he had no choice.

Erika's head began throbbing and she fell to the ground. Images of Terra's betrayal and uncontrolled powers flooded through out her mind. She saw the blonde girl floating mid-air atop a large bolder. Terra floated to her side and whispered lightly into her ear. "Do not harm them!" Slowly the image faded from her mind until all that was left was a black screen. It was then the she slipped into unconsciousness.