Buried

*~`2~*

Several days later

The titans are really starting to worry about Raven. Ever since the incident at the jewelry store she has had several more episodes like the one she had that night and not once has she ever remember them afterward.

Robin knocks on Raven's door. He waits until she opens it before speaking. "Any luck figuring out what's going on?"

"No. And I don't understand why I can't remember what happens."

"I'm starting to wonder if it isn't connected to what happened at the jewelry store."

"What do you mean?"

"Were you ever attacked like that before?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

"I'm not. I think you may have some repressed memory trying to surface. Or something that you may have buried intentionally."

"Why would I do that?"

"Maybe it was something that would have affected your powers if you didn't."

Raven stares at Robin. "Suddenly you're an expert on psychology?"

"I'm concerned about you Raven. I'm just trying to help you figure this out. Maybe whatever is causing this you weren't meant to find it. Maybe its time you let me into you mind. Let me help you like you did for me."

She turns away from Robin. "I can't."

"Raven-"

"-I'm just not ready for that Robin. You don't even understand what you're asking."

"Then help me understand."

"We have a bond now...but if I were to let you into my mind like I entered yours..." Raven walks partway to her bed before she turns to face Robin. "...its possible that we wouldn't be just Robin and Raven anymore. We could end up forever connected...like soul mates only stronger...two halves of a whole. If you whack yourself in the head with your bow staff during training I might feel it to. Or if I have a really painful time of the month you might suffer too. Is that something you're willing to risk?"

"To find out what's happening to you and stop it...yes. This scares me Raven. I have a bad feeling about what this...other you might do if she isn't stopped."

"I've spent my whole life keeping others at arms length. I just can't go that far. Not unless its unavoidable."

"Then at least make me a deal. If something bad happens you let me in to help you."

"Alright. I promise...but only if something bad happens." Raven watches Robin as he walks away not satisfied but placated for the moment at least. She sits down heavily on her bed. She has checked with all her emoticlones and none of them have slipped out. Listening to the others this sounds more like some other personality almost. One that doesn't know her father has been defeated. Sighing she gets up and stands in front of the mirror. It has been awhile since she last trimmed her hair. Raven rummages through the dresser drawer until she finds the scissors. As she holds out a lock of hair in one hand with the scissors in the other ready to trim it she freezes. She drops the scissors just standing there staring at herself in the mirror. "I should be dead." Raven looks down at the scissors then picks them up. "I will die before I let that monster use me for a portal."

*~'~*

The others look up as Robin enters OPS.

He shakes his head indicating that he didn't have any luck.

Starfire gets up and paces around back and forth. "Oh, I fear what may happen to Raven if this other version of her continues to appear."

Beast Boy glaces around at the others. "Maybe we should take her to a doctor or something."

Cyborg turns to Robin. "That will just upset her...but I don't see any other way."

Robin sighs. "Let me talk to her one more time. If I can't get through to her then we'll stage an intervention." He looks around as the other nod in agreement before he heads back up to Raven's room.

*~'ยด~*

He walked slowly trying to figure out just what to say that might convince her to finally let him help her. When he finally reaches her still open door he stops in shock at what he sees. "Raven!" Robin rushes inside and kneels beside her on the floor.

In one of Raven's hands is the pair of bloody scissors held open. She lays in the floor staring up at the ceiling with a gaping wound slashed across her neck and blood pooling on the floor.