Disclaimer: Still don't own them...if I did, I would wait outside Raven's door to 'comfort' Speedy here or bop Robin over the head for being such and idiot lol.

Okay, the Speedy/Rae version of 'Why him?' This could have been what took place before 'Charade' or it could be something different altogether, I'll leave that to your imagination. I may actually add a conversation between Robin and Speedy on this one later, (Alena suggested it, and it intrigues me so if I manage to get it out, all thanks goes to her.)

Enjoy :)

"Why?"

"You know why," She sighed forcing herself not to break eye contact with him, "It would be pointless to try and explain."

"You already chose me," He gave a sad smile at her startled look; "You think I wouldn't know, that I wouldn't be able to read you that way? Raven, I didn't ask you to be with me just for kicks."

"I know that," She could feel his heart breaking and hers was shot full of sympathetic pain. "I just can't do this to you; I can't stop what I feel for him."

"He'll never love you." Speedy didn't say this to be cruel, just as a simple statement of fact.

"That is the one point where you are wrong." Raven turned from him and gazed out the window, forcibly keeping her face in impassive lines. "He already loves me; he just won't allow himself to act on it."

"You don't have to love me Raven," Desperate now, unsure why this girl, this woman meant so much more to him than any other. "I can love you enough for both of us."

"That's the problem Roy, I do love you." She smiled sadly and he saw it reflected in the glass. "If I didn't care about you it would be so much easier to play this game."

"This isn't a game." Now his voice was edged in anger, "This is my life Raven, my heart that you are playing with."

"Life is a game," She turned back to him, her eyes flat and serious. "It's the most important game we play and I refuse to wreck you anymore than I already have by continuing a farce that would be too painful for both of us."

"I had you Raven, how do you expect me to go back to before." He reached out and took her hands in his, "I've held your body to mine, felt your lips give way to my kiss, your body surrender to my touch. How can I ever accept anything else?"

"I don't know," She whispered, "I really don't know."

"How can you ever accept anything but everything Raven," He insisted, "Robin will never give you what you need, what you want."

"I know that, but how can I settle for something else? How can I lay in your arms and dream of him without going insane? Without destroying both of us?" Unshed tears swam in her purple eyes, making them glitter in the dim light of her room.

"I can accept your dreaming if the reality were mine Rae, I swear I can." He pleaded quietly.

"Maybe for awhile you could, but not forever." She shook her head morosely, "I won't do that to you, I care too much."

"Or not enough." He dropped her hands and turned from her, running his own hands through his red hair.

"Perhaps," She agreed and although her heart ached for him, she didn't go to him. She knew that if she touched him now all would be lost and instead of just destroying herself she would destroy all three of them.

"I don't think I can accept this Rae." His voice shook and deepened with the pain that was echoing throughout his body. Who knew a broken heart could cause so much physical pain.

"I'm sorry Roy."

"He'll kill you with his indifference Rae; I don't think I can watch that."

"It's my choice."

"I'll be waiting for you, should you change your mind." He turned towards her with eyes haunted behind his mask, face drawn in pain.

"I won't."

"When you come to me again, remember that I want forever." He went on, as if she hadn't spoken.

"Don't wait for me Roy, please." She took a step towards him, stopping when he raised a hand and stepped back.

"I can't do anything but wait for you." Now he stepped forward, quickly drawing her into his arms, lowering his head and bruising her lips with a punishing kiss.

She tasted their tears, her regret and his heartbreak. Then he was gone, only the spicy sent of him offering proof that he had been there.