Warning: OOC-ness.

Disclaimer: Do I look fuckin' rich too you?

Raven stripped off her clothes for the second time that night as she got ready for bed. Melody sat cross-legged on the floor, wearing on of Robin's casual tee shirts that fell a bit past her knees. She had found it while rummaging trough Star fire's dresser and refused to wear anything else.

"Okay kid, get in bed."

Melody obliged quickly, scrambling up onto Raven's bed and burrowing deep underneath the comforter.

Raven bit back a laugh. This child was simply adorable. As much as she hated to admit it, Raven felt a slight twinge of guilt, remembering what she had said to Beast boy earlier.

"You aren't afraid of the dark?" the telepath asked uncertainly. Melody shook her head violently, as if trying to get rid of a particularly annoying fly.

"Okay. Well, I'm going to go sleep on the couch in the main room, alright? If you need something, come and get me, Star or Daddy. Alright?"

"Yes momma."

"Do you need anything else before I leave? Bed-time story… snack… glass of water?"

Melody held her arms out expectantly. Raven looked at her uncertain of what to do.

"Hug?" said Melody, censing her adopted mother's hesitation.

Raven smiled and shook her head, before leaning down and giving Melody a quick squeeze.

"You're a real brat, you know that?" she teased, ruffling the light brown hair on top of Melody's head.

Melody grinned widely, and snuggled up under the covers.

"Good Night. I hope you have pleasant dreams." Raven said, striding across the room and flicking the light switch and sending the room in to darkness.

"'Night momma."

Raven yawned widely after she had closed the door, and rubbed her eyes with her wrist.

She was utterly exhausted. Grudgingly she made her way down the stairs to the main room of the tower, where she lay down on the couch. She had not even pulled up the covers, but, the second her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.

Raven woke up very suddenly. She wasn't sure at first what had woken her up. She glanced out the huge window that over looked the city. The only lights came from street lamps and the windows of the sparse few still awake.

And yet… something… wasn't quite right…

Raven pushed herself off of the couch, and pulled off her blanket, wondering vaguely who had tucked her in.

She could sense incredibly strong emotions in the tower. Some one was afraid. Deathly afraid.

"…Nightmare?" she mused aloud.

She frowned. Perhaps it was only that but it still wouldn't hurt to go check on her friends.

She sighed exasperatedly, than treaded softly out of the common room.

She peaked around the corner of Cyborg's room. Than Robin. Than Starfire. All were resting peacefully, their dreams unbothered by anxiety.

Perhaps, than, it was Beast boy whom she had sensed? As Raven approached his room, she could feel a strong emotion but… it was not fright. What in the name of Azarath was that boy feeling? It couldn't possibly be…

She slid his door open a crack, out of curiosity, and took a quick look inside.

He gave a moan as she opened his door, and for a fleeting second, she was sure he had heard her.

"Rae… ungh… Raven!" he called. His words were slurred, and she was sure he must be asleep. Or drunk. But He was underage. and he wouldn't dare. He WAS a super-hero after all.

He had kicked the blankets off of his bed. Raven rolled her eyes, but entered his room, silently. She picked the thin blanket up off of the floor and laid it gently on top of him. He gave a slight moan, but simply rolled over, so that he was facing her, muttering incoherently.

She shook her head and sighed.

"What an idiot…" she said quietly, but her voice held no hint of bitterness. Quite the contrary, her tone was one of adoration.

She stroked his forehead lightly with her thumb, wondering what he could be dreaming about. Maybe it was a battle? His face was quit intense. If it was a fight, he must be fighting hard, she chuckled.

All of a sudden she felt it again. The severe emotion which had awakened her was nearer.

She turned around and nearly screamed in shock.

Melody stood in the doorway, clutching Raven's pillow tight to her chest. She was trembling.

"Melody!" Raven said tensely "What's wrong?"

"Mommy…" Melody whimpered "I'm scared…"

Suddenly she burst into tears. She wailed loudly and big, fat tears ran in streams down her face.

"Melody! Hush! You have to be quiet! You'll wake up daddy!"

When she would not quiet, Raven scooped the toddler up and cradled her in her arms, holding Melody's face to her shoulder to muffle the sound.

She turned to leave the room but paused a moment, noticing Beast boy.

She tugged his blanket up a bit further, and stroked his cheek lightly with the knuckle on her forefinger.

"Sleep well, Gar."

Raven carried Melody back to her room and sat down on the bed.

"Now, listen to me Mel, what are you crying about?"

"Demons and devils… Help me mommy…"

Raven closed her eyes momentarily as Melody buried her face in her surrogate mothers breasts.

"Melody… Look at me Melody…" Raven tilted the child's head up so that her Violet eyes met Melody's shocking green ones "If you're not afraid of me, the demon daughter of Trigon, than there is nothing to fear. Trust me on this, okay? I am the scariest thing you will find in the tower. And I won't let anything happen to you."

Melody wrapped her arms around Ravens neck and cuddled up in her lap.

"Can you sing to me?"

"Come again?" The titan asked, raising a delicate eyebrow.

"Can you sing to me? I like it when people sing. It makes me…" Melody yawned widely "Happy."

"Okay, but do you promise me you'll go to sleep after this? We have 'girls day' tomorrow., and I don't want you getting to sleepy while we're doing… whatever it is Bee and Star have planed."

"I promise mommy."

Raven nodded and intertwined her pinky with the little girls.

"Okay a song… let me see…"

What was that song on that Disney movie Starfire had watched the other night?

"Come; Stop your crying, it'll be alright.

Just take my hand, hold it tight."

Ravens voice cracked slightly. She hadn't sung in so long. She had forgotten how good it felt.

"I will protect you from all around you,

I will be here don't you cry."

She felt a bit stronger. She forced herself to sing louder.

"For one so small, you seem so strong.

My arms will hold you. Keep you safe a warm.

This bond between us can't be broken.

I will be here don't you cry.

And you'll be in my heart.

Yes you'll be in my heart,

From this day on

Now and for ever more."

Raven broke off.

Melody had fallen fast asleep in her arms. Quietly she set the toddler down on the pillow, and brushed a few rebellious hairs out of her face.

She jumped slightly when she heard Melody whisper "Momma?" sleepily.

"Mel? I thought you were asleep." Raven whispered back, sternly.

"I'm sorry. I just wanna say…" She broke off and yawned widely "You too pretty to be a Demon…"

R&R. Comments and Critiques very welcome. Flames accepted, but will most likely be ignored.