And another one where Robin is being the stubborn ass that he seems to be turning into in this series :/ really I want to shake this Robin until he smartens up, maybe he will have an awakening in the next couple of ones...we'll see :) Don't hate him too much, he's just stubborn about what he thinks is right.

I leave it to the reader to decide who the 'Pretender' is in this story :)

Disclaimer: My handcuffs are still unused...so no, I do not own them.

So he had learned to give some of himself after all, she was happy for him. Really she was.

She hid deep in the shadows that offered little comfort and remained silent though her heart longed to scream and protest the pain that echoed throughout her whole body.

She had known he would never come to her, but she had soothed herself with the fact that he would never go to anyone else either. She had lied to herself, hoped to herself; two things she fought hard never to do.

In the silence that was her friend she felt the bond they shared shatter and endured the silent screaming of her soul as he drew the woman, who wasn't her, into his arms and kiss her with a passion that Raven had always longed to feel.

"Robin," His name slipped past numbed lips and the wind carried her whisper to his ears.

The other woman entered her home and Robin turned from her closed door to look up and down the dark street.

"Raven," He called quietly, struggling to hide the pain he felt etched inside him.

"You knew I would be here." Her disembodied voice came from the shadows to his left, accusation littered throughout her tone. "You knew I was patrolling this area tonight."

As he approached her he tried to shrug nonchalantly, "I didn't think about it."

"Liar," They were face to face now, the shadows hiding them both from the world at large. "You have been steadily breaking my heart for the past five years Robin; this was yet another knife in the back."

"Some times the world doesn't revolve around you Raven." He shot back, regret covered with anger.

"And sometimes it does." She responded quietly.

"I just want you to be able to move on," He shoved a hand through his mussed black hair, "You can't wait on me forever Raven."

"Why do you think that I am waiting?" She asked suddenly.

"You're always there," He gave a slight smile, "What else am I to think?"

"I have never waited for you Robin." She said simply.

"You're always there." He repeated.

"I always will be, no matter how many times you try to break my heart," She gave a self depreciating smile. "My heart is only whole with you, I can't change that…you can't change that either."

"I am not a good bet Raven; I have other duties and responsibilities as a superhero." He sighed, wishing this wasn't so hard; wishing he didn't want to give into her so badly.

"I have never asked you to change who or what you are." She hissed at him leaning forward.

"Yes you do," He took her small, cold hand in his. "Every time you look at me, every time you say my name you ask for something I can't give."

"Won't give," She replied with another small smile.

"Can't or won't, it all ends up the same."

"Yes it does and nothing you or I do can change what is." She gazed steadily into his masked eyes.

"I don't like hurting you." He said quietly, the pain that was filling his heart spilling over into his voice.

"Then don't."

"What else am I supposed to do?" The question echoed between them.

"I can't tell you that," She sighed as the wind picked up, blowing her hair around her face. "It's time to go home."

"Yeah," He agreed, once again shutting away the emotions that threatened his better judgment. "I'm sorry."

"I know." She wondered if she would ever have a chance to be held in his arms or if he simply cared too much to ever try.