HOLY CRAP. ONE YEAR, AND SEVEN MONTHS. I seriously did not know it's been that long since this update. Shoot. I haven't been writing fiction at ALL. Yikes.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the extremely, painful, and utterly inexcusable delay. Hopefully this chapter was not too bad, and not too far from my usual MO. I usually don't write when I don't have inspiration, but I have a goal to maintain! I will finish this! Honestly though, I already finished, and had closure with this story a long time ago. I had the plot points, the deaths, the characters, everything already done. In my head. Yeah. Haha. But I'll try and write it out, yah.

Author is new, mistakes noted and creative criticism is greatly appreciative.

Yes, I do need to edit past chapters for spelling and grammar errors. Maybe some other time. Enjoy. (I actually want to rewrite FP completely, good idea?)

Copyrights and Disclaimers:

This is not for commercial use.

Fiction/Content © copyrighted 2007 LM22102
Characters/Titans © copyrighted DC COMICS

All rights reserved.

---

Fallen Prey II : Alis Volat Propiis
(Ltn. She flies with her own wings.)

Summary:
I stared into the abyss and I blinked.
My eyes widened as realization dawned on me. I was here.. yet again. Except it was for eternity.

Fallen Prey sequel. Raven centered fiction.

---

RECAP:

He spoke, low and menacing. "I will be coming back for you. And if I fall.." He lowered his head as close as he could without moving his body, "It shall be Lucial who will retrieve you.."

The aura around the swords became thicker and faster. She too brought her face closer, her body not moving so she would not be stabbed. She growled, her fingers turning white in which she held her swords tighter, "..Send him my love."

Slice. The sounds became one. Gasps came from the wedding reception.

Raven had lifted her upper body to drive her swords deeper into his abdomen. His sword stuck out of her back and embedded its tip into the ground, the blade dripped with her blood. Two tips of metal stuck out of his back, his blood traveled down her sword and into her hands.

His hands trembled. Hers did too.

Though both had faces of unchanged appearance.

Mephistopheles, with his sword, flickered for a second then completely disappeared.

---

CHAPTER THREE

Ex nihilo, nihil fit. Ltn. From nothing, nothing comes.

---

Lucial gritted his teeth as he stared down hard at the kneeling Mephistopheles. "And what of her now?"

Mephistopheles looked up as his earlier wounds from Raven already starting to heal. "She is with the mortals. Healing. What would you like me to do Sir?"

A heavy sigh escaped the Devil's mouth and Mephistopheles stood from his position.

"We will do what is to be done."

"But Sir-"

"That is all Mephistopheles." Lucial's tone was dangerously low and his eyes were narrow.

Mephistopheles bowed and walked out of the throne room.

Lucial watched as the large doors closed, leaving him to his silence. A lowly growl escaped from his mouth, "..No one escapes what I bring about.."

---

She woke with a gasp. Her body instantly falling prey to gravity and unto the chaise she was laid upon. Her healing properties no longer requiring her to levitate in meditation.

Raven winced as her damaged wings took the brunt of the fall, instantly covering the couch with the red of her blood.

A blurred, giant penguin ran by.

"Hey! You're awake!" Apparently it talks.

Wally helped Raven stand as he grabbed both her shoulders in his hands, carefully avoiding her bandage above her heart where she was stabbed, as she started looking around, "You okay? Feeling dizzy? Concussion? Anything? Maybe I should grab Dr. Mid-Nite and see-"

"I'm fine, Wallace." Raven gave him a soft smile and continued to look around the room, "Where am I?"

"Pool house. You kinda crashed into Bruce's backyaarr- Ahh!" Wally ducked as Raven suddenly turned, her blood-stained bandaged wings almost hitting him.

She gave an apologetic shrug she faced him once again, "Sorry." Her look turned one into concern, "Did the League take my swords?"

Wally eyed her suspiciously, his arms crossing his chest, "Why do you need them?"

Raven sighed, "I'm sorry, but those swords are the only things I possess, they are my responsibility. If they get into the wrong hands, mortal, selfish hands, things may inevitably go wrong. Wallace, tell me where they are." Her eyes staring at him, her tone turning almost demanding.

Wally frowned, "Don't get so tickled, Rave, the League's got, well-" he chucked, "Let's just say they're watching it, since the farthest they can drag the swords to is about a foot or so, no less carry and confiscate it."

Raven exhaled heavily, "Am I under house arrest?"

Confusion quickly covered his face, "What are you talkin-" He paused. ".. Oh." Slade. Thievery. Demon chases. Ohhhh.

Raven gave an understanding nod, "Yes." She grabbed the damaged end of her wing, examining it, small baby feathers were already sprouting from the wound.

"Who wrapped my wings?" Seeing as the bandages were weaved in and out through her wings, effectively stopping the blood flow, though the bandages were already damp with her blood.

"Hawkgirl was here for a few moments to give Dick and Kory her regards, luckily, Supes and Bats let her bandage you and the feathers."

She looked at him as he gave a small noise of surprise, she raised her brow at him. Raven saw her chest plate laying against the chaise, she reached down to grab it.

"Which reminds me," The noise he earlier made being one of remembrance, "Why do you have feathers? I mean, wings? How did you get here? I thought you died. Raven-" He sighed, seeing that she was giving him a 'don't ask' look, deciding to keep all limbs intact, he continued, "Bruce wants to speak with you."

"Meaning," She wrapped the armor around her abdomen, carefully making sure her bandaged stomach was not to be disturbed, "He'll be coming here, or I can go out?" A snap was heard as she closed the armor. She saw it was the only thing they took off her, leaving her boots, gloves and all clothing on her, thank Azar, they didn't need another strip show.

Wally shrugged, "Don't know, it'll probably be okay to go out, a fifth of the people here are civilians, if the League wanted you to stay in, I'd think they'd make it clear as soon as you try to step out."

"Let's see then, shall we?" As soon as she uttered those words, the door to the pool house opened and there stood in the doorway, in all their wedded glory, was the golden couple.

Dick and Kory, still in her wedding dress, immediately flew to hug her, "Friend Raven! You are-" She stopped short in front of Raven when she her old friend was holding her hands in a surrendered fashion.

"I'm, uh, injured Kory, please, not so ..tight?" Raven really didn't want to make the alien princess too excited, or Azar forbid, angry, she had enough injuries at the moment.

Kory smiled and gingerly wrapped her arms around Raven, "It is so very good to see you alive and well, Friend Raven, especially at the day of my bethoral to Dick and as all of our friends are here to witness your return." She kindly brushed the back of Raven's head as she backed up to look at her.

"Where were you planning to go when we arrived?" Everyone turned to Dick's quiet, yet demanding tone of voice. His thoughts had immediately went to his former rival, who had disappeared after Raven's supposed death.

"To Bruce actually, he wanted to talk to her." Wally offered the answer when he noticed the hesitancy in Raven's actions.

Azure eyes battled amethyst as Dick stared Raven down.

Kory turned back to Raven, "Is that so, Friend Raven? Then we shall wish you the best recovery and hope to see you soon!" Her smile shined so happily, that Raven almost felt guilty for crashing her wedding. Almost.

She wasn't the same Raven from three years ago when she first disappeared, she now had three different lives, Raven, the former titan, Ravager, former criminal and apprentice to Slade, and Avnas, the unmerciful feared killer of the infernal regions. And each had their own past. She didn't exactly feel remorse for interrupting their wedding. Which reminds her..

Raven cleared her throat, "Wallace, could you please tell Bruce that I'm coming-" She first directed at Wally, who opened his mouth to retort, but Raven beat him to it, "Richard will be escorting me." She turned her eyes to Kory, "If I could have a word with him alone first, if you don't mind, Kory, I'd appreciate it." She gave Kory a smile.

Kory only beamed, "Of course, and I shall go with Wally to tell our guests that you have regained consciousness."

As soon as the pair left, Raven immediately spoke up before Dick could, "Richard, no. I'm not going to explain myself."

Dick, or Richard, as Raven liked to call him, burrowed his brows together, "Raven, you've been gone two years. You come on my wedding day. An angel follows you. You almost died. Again. I'm not going to let you go this time without an explanation."

Raven stepped forward, "I was busy. I didn't know. He's a devil. And I didn't." She turned to him as she came to his side, almost to the door. He turned to her, his hands still in his pockets, as she continued, her face almost sympathetic, "You can either take me to Bruce, or I will go on my own." The last part of her sentence, her hand turned the door handle.

Dick gritted his teeth, "Raven .."

"I'll take as a no, then." With that, she walked out the door ..

And was immediately seen, by none other than Cyborg. "Dark girl!"

Raven gave a small smile and walked towards him, "Victor. How good to see you." She let his metal arms embrace her for a second.

The metal man chuckled, "Since our last encounter didn't leave much to talking, now did it?" A sad smile overcoming his features as he stared down at her.

"It .." Raven glanced to her side for a moment before bringing her eyes back to him, "Is not the time to talk about it." She held out her hand with a subtle grin, "Rain check?"

Cyborg shook his head, her grin being contagious, "Of course." Taking her small hand in both of his.

"Raven!"

Both Cyborg and Raven turned as Wally, still in his tuxedo, instantly appeared beside Raven, his arm around her shoulder. "You know, The Bat's still waiting. He'd like to see you before he retires." Wally looked around, "Where's Dick? I thought you said he was going to bring you." He looked down at her with an amusing grin.

"It's his wedding, Wallace. Surely, he's somewhere entertaining his guests." And of course, they all turned as a small joyous shriek came from afar.

As soon as Dick had stepped out of the pool house, Kory had instantly attached herself to him.

"Dick! J'onn has agreed to take us to our Honeymoon!" Everyone watched as the newly appointed bride hugged her groom. J'onn, or as some know him as Martian Manhunter stood beside them with his arms folded against his chest, smiling.

Raven turned back to Wally, with her brow raised in a questioning glance.

"Huh?" He looked genuinely confused for a moment as to why Raven was staring at him, "Ohhh. Apparently their flight out to Hawaii was canceled due to some weather storms."

"I see. Shall we go then?" Raven turned to Cyborg, "It was nice seeing you again Victor."

Cyborg grinned, "Sure thing, Dark Girl."

Raven and Wally made their way to where Batman was standing with Wonder Woman when they arrived.

"I bring you .. Raven!" Wally's hands were outstretched, his face in a full grin.

Raven briefly bowed her head, "Batman. Wonder Woman."

Wonder Woman smiled, "Raven, it's good to see you again."

"You as well."

A moment passed, Batman and Raven's attention focused on each other.

"Ah, well, Wally, shall we then?" Wonder Woman brought her arm out towards Wally, her brow raised.

Wally looked between Wonder Woman, Batman and Raven, "Uh, I think-Eh!"

He was cut off as Wonder Woman linked her arm with his and started to drag Wally away. "No, no, I'd like you to accompany me for some punch."

"Oh.. well.." Wally looked back at Batman and Raven one more time before grinning at Wonder Woman, "I'd never refuse a woman." He winked at her as she laughed and they both headed towards the tables.

As soon as they were out of earshot, it was Raven who spoke first, "What am I to do now?" Her voice even as she folded her arms against her chest, mimicking The Batman.

Batman gave a slight smirk, "Enjoy the party Raven, it's their wedding." His face went back to his normal unrevealing state, "I will give you tonight. Tomorrow, you are at the WatchTower." An unspoken conversation about her criminal record was exchanged between them.

"I'm surprised you don't want to take me right now."

"I would have, after the wedding, but Flash has convinced me to give them some time to .. reconnect with you."

"You mean to say goodbye."

"We won't know until after the trials."

Raven nodded, she understood it all. She was a former associate of Slade, known mercenary and wanted by the JLA.

"Flash will being staying at the Tower tonight. I'll assume you won't do anything irrational that will further stain your record."

Raven tilted her head, "Are you telling me there's still room to do so?"

"Raven, some measures were already taken since your death. Any further contact with him, and extra precautions will be taken."

A raised brow, "Even though I'm still dead?"

Batman quieted for a moment as he thought over what she had just said, "If you are capable of still doing harm, your case will be reopened. Are you suggesting that your appearance should not be expected tomorrow?"

Raven smiled, though it had not reached her eyes, "I'll see you there."

Batman nodded.

"And what of my swords?"

"As no one can retrieve them at the moment," Batman breathed out, purposely letting Raven see as he was frustrated with that situation, "You may have them. I trust you'll put them to no use while you're here."

"I trust that I won't have to."

At this, "Is he defeated?" Referring to Mephistopheles and their earlier battle.

"He will most likely come back." At his silence, she continued, "For me."

---

"... and we'd like to thank all our friends and family for coming." Dick addressed everyone while holding his wife around the waist.

Starfire smiled, beautiful in her wedding gown, "For being with us on this wondrous day of Dick and I's joining."

Husband and wife looked at each other, then spotted Raven, "We'd also like to welcome back Raven on her return." Both said. A small extra meaningful glance from Dick, clearly stating that they'd talk when they got back.

Raven smiled, and nodded her thanks from her place in the crowd.

Dick, Starfire and J'onn whispered among themselves for a moment before saying their goodbyes and disappeared altogether. J'onn had taken them to their honeymoon.

"Well. That was .. fun." Raven quipped, she turned, catching part of Wally and Victor's conversation.

".. Green Jeans wouldn't dare."

"Says who? I bet you ten bucks that Bart and Gar are luging down the stairs as we speak." Wally grinned at Victor's bewildered expression. (1)

Raven rose a brow, "Luging? Bart? And speaking of which, where is Garfield?" As she said this, she turned her head a few times seeing if she'd find the mop of green hair.

Victor shrugged, "He's at the tower."

"Why didn't he stay?"

Wally grinned, "He's on sitting duty with the kiddies."

"The kiddies?"

"Yep, new recruits. You know," Wally leaned conspiratorially towards Raven who in turn leaned closer, "Teens."

Raven made a face, "Teens? We're tee- Oh, I suppose I wouldn't be considered one anymore. How old are we talking here?"

Victor grinned, "The oldest is fifteen."

A slight form of surprise and disgust came over her features, "Good gracious, and you're training them?" She paused at both mens' nodding, a concentrated wrinkle formed above her brow, "Azar, they're living in the tower, aren't they?"

A laugh overcame Wally as he shook his head, "No, no, they only come on weekends. They have parents, you know." He grinned, "Well, I'll be back in a sec, gotta see off the leaguers here."

Before Raven and Victor acknowledged, he had already left a breeze.

"Mhm .." Raven emitted a small sound of bored interest as she looked around at the leaving guests.

"Riding back with me to the tower, aren't ya?" Victor winked down at her with a friendly smile.

Raven chuckled, "With these?" She mentioned to her bandaged wings, "No can do, my friend. I'll travel back just fine, thank you."

He gave her a surprised look, "Dark girl, there is no way you're flying back to the Tower in that condition."

"Who says I'll be flying?" Winking at him, she smiled.

Victor chuckled and shook his head with slight murmurs of 'Crazy girl as always.'

---

"Ready?" The redhead grinned.

"You didn't honestly think that I wasn't, did you?" The corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk.

The Flash chuckled, Wally West drabbed all his uniform. A sight to see, indeed.

Everyone had already gone and left, with the exception of a few cleaning crews and wandering, costumed guests.

Cyborg had contacted them a bit earlier, saying that he had just arrived at the tower's garage and had immediately went into the monitor room to look over their progress. Both Flash and Raven were holding on to a communicator that would track their movements.

A race was about to start.

"You sure, though? You must be tired. Getting back from death and all."

"Oh please. That joke's old, Wallace. Nothing new? I'm disappointed."

A short burst of static, then Cyborg voice vibrated through their communicators, "All right, it's a go. On my count, then?"

A simultaneous "Yes" erupted from both of them.

Silence followed, then, "One ... Two ..."

Flash kept his teasing glare on Raven, she in turn, with smiling eyes, suddenly blew him a playful kiss with her mouth. He was completely caught off guard.

"GO!"

His focus on her immediately turned to blink at her black pool of magic. Not a millisecond later, he himself, raced home to the Tower.

It felt nice, she had to admit. A sudden thrust into a sense of spirited familiarity. She had braced herself for harsh questions, piercing eyes, and unforgiving auras. But what she got when she woke, was nothing short of elated reactions.

Though it was a wedding she had crashed, everyone had seemed accustomed to spontaneous destruction and after a few explanations, even strangers had approved her with lively curiosity.

It was a bit overwhelming at first, but she lost herself in their euphoria. Two years in Hell would do that to you. A little ignorant bliss couldn't hurt. It was the least she could give them.

---

"Connor! That's gross! Get it away from me!" The blonde teenage girl screeched, flying high into the air of the room.

"What? No way! Cassie, It's so cool! Just take a whiff of it! It'll make you see stuff! I swear!" A boy, dressed casually in jeans and a black shirt followed her into the air, carrying what looked like, an emerald blob of unknown origins. Whether it was alive or not, is something I'd rather not discuss.

Two other boys were on the couch, serious expressions played out on their faces as they vigorously pounded their own controllers with their thumbs. Unwavering stares directed at the large communications screen, their bodies even slightly swaying in rhythm to their on-screen cars.

"Didn't Gar say something about a garage?" Kid Flash spoke quickly, little to no interest in his tone.

"No, he said he was going to the garage to see Cyborg." The new Robin, Tim Drake, replied distractedly as he tilted his head to the side

"Cyborg's here?"

A sigh, "He left for the wedding, now he's back."

"Oh. Okay."

The discussion stopped there as the screen flashed colorfully with words over-dramatizing the next round.

---

"Ten bucks says Flash gets here first." Beast boy's eyes trained on the monitor.

Cyborg grinned, watching the two red dots on the screen almost near the tower. One steadily in a straight line, the other blinking. "No way, man. You know Raven will win. Just wait it out, dude."

"Oh please, she can't take that whole distance in one jump. "

"It's been years, Green Jeans, you never know, she might have a few new tricks up her sleeve."

"Yeah," Beast boy rolled his eyes, "Like that one time she dyed my h-" he was interrupted by a loud crash in the tower.

A pause, both Titans staring at each other.

Then, "OH MY GOD! YOU THINK IT'S ANOTHER WHALE?!"

Before Cyborg could comment that there was no way an incident like that could repeat itself, the crash was followed with a faint, "WHO ARE YOU?!"

---

As Raven's ashy smoke cleared the room, revealing her full state, the room's silence was interrupted by Superboy's declaration.

Robin and Kid Flash turned from their game and stared at the green, blubbery mess that was on the floor. Who knew it'd emit such a sound when dropped?

"Dude, gross." Kid Flash frowned at it before noticing the spiritual power that Raven's teleport had emitted, "Oh. Wow. .. Hi."

Robin was already at a battle stance next to the couch, as Wonder Girl had her golden lasso out, and Superboy standing a few feet from Raven, boldly pointing at her.

Raven simply rose a brow, bringing her glance to each of them, "You must be the new recruits."

"You are hereby trespassing property. State your intentions before you are forcibly removed." Robin's quick and cold statement reminded Raven of her earlier days when Nightwing was like that.

She almost smiled at him. Almost. She opened her mouth to retort, but The Flash, who had suddenly appeared, beat her to it.

"Whoo. Man, how'd you do that? I didn't know your abilities could teleport you that far."

Bart sped next to Wally, high-fiving him, "Hey! You're back, What's up, What've you been up to, Did you bring me anything back, Were you racing? Did you lose? You know her?" Kid Flash's fast talking ended with a point to Raven.

Wally grinned, and ruffled the smaller boy's hair, "First of all, both of you-" Giving Bart and Connor a reprimanding glance, "Are not to point at guests." Both children guiltily lowered their hands.

The Flash returned his attention to his mini-me, "Here man, got you something." Completely ignoring everyone elses' stares, he pulled out a box seemingly out of nowhere and gave it to the boy.

Kid Flash opened it and peered inside, seeing a slice of cake, "SWEET!"

The tension was slightly cut with Superboy's whine, "What? None for me? No fair, dude."

Wally just shrugged with a grin.

"You know her, Flash?" Robin was still on guard, his eyes still on Raven.

"Oh yeah, no worries, kid. Former Titan." The last two words silently putting a weight on both Wally and Raven's hearts.

"Was there a fight? You're kinda bleeding. What happened, Flash?" Wonder Girl flew down to stand next to Raven, with concerned eyes.

"Ah, you know, just some drunken fun at the wedding reception. Nothing serious, Cassie." Wally grinned at her, then looked around. "Where's the tincan and the fly?"

Before anyone can answer, the main doors opened, and still bickering were Cyborg and Beast Boy.

"-Oh PLEASE. The whale BARELY did any damage, everything was your fault, anyway."

"MY fault?"

"YEAH."

"It so wasn't my fault that it suddenly decided to fly into the tower!"

Robin cleared his throat, catching almost everyones' attention as Bart and Connor were more interested in the Whale Story while Cyborg and Beast Boy tried to tell it right.

He turned his attention to Raven, his staff now retracted and put away, "Raven, daughter of Trigon?"

Raven blinked, surprised at his knowledge. She looked at Wally with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, "I'm either in the database, or I'm much talked about."

"Both, actually." Wally and Raven turned to Robin's answer.

Wally was ridiculously trying to tell him to be quiet with the gesture of his hand in front of his neck, when Raven turned to him, he ended up scratching his neck nervously to cover up.

"On good and bad terms. I mean, everyone's in the database, and a lot of people talk. You'd be surprised what you'd get with a few inquiries on the street." Either Robin was stupid, blind, or purposely ignoring Wally.

"And what do you think of me, Robin?" Her face was one of pure amusement.

"Well, I don't know how or when you got back. But seeing as you're with the Flash, which you might not have heard since you've been gone, is in the Justice League, a team that always knows what's going on and is probably already aware of your situation. Also that you're freely standing here without some kind of enforcement, I'm going to assume that either; one, you're on the lam, two, you're currently in custody by Wally, or three, which is the most unlikely, that you were pardoned from your crimes, or maybe even received a reprieve. But even that is improbable."

Ah, the analytical mind of a Robin. Can she never escape it?

Raven, not at all surprised at his hindsight, actually gave a small laugh which surprised Wally.

She smiled, "The second, if you're still wondering, which I doubt you are, considering that you did inherit the title of Robin."

Wally watched as her face slowly went back to her serious stance. Her empathy still in effect with others around her.

"But I assure you, as you have every reason to distrust me, I have none that would give me the excuse to hurt you. I am here, merely by a request-" Her eyes pointedly glancing at Wally before going back to Robin, "and will abide to the law as far as I am capable of. I will be in full custody at the League's disposal as soon as Wally has his way with me."

Robin grinned, "Your way with her, Wally? And here I thought you were going to share."

By this time, Wally was already flustered and speechless, by the actual bluntness and awareness that Raven revealed about herself, and the way she had with words.

"... Raven!"

She gave him an innocent look, "Yes, Wally?"

"I- Uh- Arghhhhhh!" Wally threw his hands in the hair, "Okay, enough talk with the smart kid," he went behind Raven and started to push her towards the kitchen by her shoulders, "Before he gets any more ideas."

Raven chuckled, looking back at Robin while she was being led away, "Nice meeting you, Smark Kid with Ideas."

Robin only grinned, shaking his head, following the duo, "Likewise."

By the time the three had reached the kitchen, Beast boy, Kid Flash, and Superboy, were all gathered at one of the kitchen's tables. With Cyborg and Wondergirl throwing their thoughts into the conversation while they cooked dinner.

"I don't know, didn't you think it was a bit odd that something big and blue was in the sky in the first place?" Cassie paused, taking a sip of her spaghetti sauce, giving the spoon to Cyborg to taste.

Beast Boy looked offended, "Uh no? I'm green, if you haven't noticed. And I can turn into a whale too. So I guess-" His tone turning sarcastic as he pointed the conversation at Connor and Bart, "some people would mistake a huge whale for me."

Connor and Bart only grinned, shrugging in unison, "Would you believe us if we told you we thought you dyed yourself blue?"

"Haha, nice one!"

"Thanks!" The two boys high fived each other while Beast Boy rolled his eyes.

Robin went to join the boys at the table while Wally and Raven stood off to the side, standing close to each other.

Raven tilted her head to the side, leaning close to Wally, whispering almost conspiratorially, "The League, huh? When did that happen?"

Wally smiled and guided both of them to one of the kitchen counters, pulling out a chair for her to sit on, while he did the same. "About a year ago, I guess. It's been a while since you've been gone."

Raven nodded her thanks while he took the seat next to her. She rested her elbows on the counter as she turned her head towards him, "So are we playing catch-up or do you want to skip that entirely? I'm not much curious, to be honest."

He grinned, "You're just trying to protect me, I know you."

She shrugged, "Oh too well, before. But now, I don't know." A grin, "Two years have passed, a lot of things happened. Maybe I'm protecting both of us." A smile.

Wally stared at her, almost concentrating.

Raven laughed, "Come on, don't give me that look. You might hurt yourself. You're not one to think too much, Wallace. I don't want to endanger your health."

He pouted, then chuckled when Raven playfully bumped shoulders with him.

"Twenty questions?"

She pursed her lips from grinning, "Ten."

Wally shook his head, smiling, "Seventeen."

An open smile, "Fifteen, and that's it. Last offer, Wallace."

He sighed dramatically, "Fine. Fifteen."

The others' voices continued in the background, while both smiled each other, finally content.

Wally bumped shoulders with her, with a look that's always succeeded in giving her unintentional guilt, "I missed you, you know."

Raven looked down at her hands, then locked eyes with him. "I know."

Comfortable silence stretched between them for a few moments as they watched the chaos in the kitchen.

The questions, both knew, were going to start.

"Where've you been?"

She glanced at him, then watched as Cyborg force a spoonful of spaghetti sauce into Beast Boy's mouth, "Before or after I died?"

He turned from watching Beast Boy gag to look at Raven's face. He couldn't exactly pinpoint her expression. A mixture of amusement, sadness, and content. He didn't know whether it was from watching the kids rolling on the floor laughing, memories, or the question itself.

".. I know before." Wally's voice was quiet as he watched Cassie scowl as she cleaned up a few noodles off the floor.

Raven was quiet for a moment, weighing out how much she should tell him, "Simply put; I've been in Hell."

It took all of her willpower not to laugh as she saw him snap his head back to look at her. She saw his mouth gape from her side vision.

"... Raven.. I .. wouldn't- I thought..I'm sorry." His voice was quiet. Sympathetic.

The smallest of smiles appeared on her face as Connor held Beast Boy from behind, Bart approaching him with a mischievous grin, "It's not like I was treated badly, I suppose. Depends on ones' point of view."

"How can you say that? You were in Hell for two years. Are you saying it was .. okay for you?" Disbelief in his tone.

Raven gave him her attention, her brows furrowed together, "Did you honestly think I'd go anywhere else when I died? Really, Wallace. Did you?" Confusion etched across her features, "Because I'd be stupefied to know if you forgot what I was." She paused, "What I am. Wallace, the last four years since I've last seen you as changed nothing as to who I am."

She watched as a smile adorned his features, his eyes though, were filled with such emotion, such .. sadness.

Raven had to listen closely over the yells of the others, but she barely caught his whisper; " .. I thought it changed everything."

They locked eyes for a moment. A second. A minute. Then she looked away, defeated.

Quietly, ".. Okay. So .. maybe I said it wrong.." She breathed it out, as if it took so much strength out of her reserve.

Wally carefully watched the woman sitting next to him. Such words didn't exist in her.. When did she start looking so small? For as long as he knew her, she was always strong. Held her head high despite being challenged, despite having hope taken away, despite everything. And now, now.. it just didn't make sense. She looked so fragile. So .. tired. He simply didn't know what to do with her. Wally West, The Flash, for maybe the first time in his life, in that instant, did not know what to do.

A few minutes passed quietly between them before Bart came over with a a funny looking chef hat, as if he cooked. Two plates in his hands, filled with spaghetti.

"You two eating here or there?" Glancing back where the others where sitting, chatting amongst themselves, the table already set with plates.

Raven spared a glance at Wally, she smiled at his expression. His brows were together in concentration and he was subconsciously chewing his lip.

She smiled at Bart, "Here is fine, thank you."

Bart grinned, a twinkle in his eyes. "I see how it is. Okay then, watch as I magically set your places." He carefully put the plates on the counter, then pulled up his sleeves.

Chuckling, Raven placed her arms in her lap as she nodded, "Alright, show me what you got."

A full out smile, Bart quickly disappeared, reappeared, and it continued for a few seconds as he went back and forth between their counter and the cupboard holding all the utensils and such.

Wally blinked, staring at the sudden appearance of a plate, glass, fork, spoon, knife, napkin, and anything else that would make a dinner pretty.

Bart stopped in front of them, his arms outward, showcasing his 'skills' after he was done, "Ta-Dah!"

Raven laughed at his childish ways, it was a bit comforting, she had to admit. She clapped, "That was very well done! I liked it very much, thank you."

Bart leaned close over the counter, motioning her to do the same.

She grinned at his expression, it was one of such joy and pride from her praise. Raven turned her head towards Wally, as she let Bart whisper in her ear, "I learned from watching Wally do it at home. But he doesn't know that, so it's a secret, okay?"

Raven nodded, putting her fingers to her lips, her face inches from Bart who blushed slightly when she winked at him, "Secret kept."

Bart stepped back, still a bit red, and started to dig his toe into the carpet, a nervous habit, "Uh .. okay. Bye!" He sped away, quickly arriving at the table where his friends were, who started teasing him about his flushed state.

Wally just sat there, his face filled with amusement, apparently getting over his lack of words in the last few minutes.

Dinner went considerably well. The duo helped clean up after the kids excused themselves to play in the living room. All four adults, Wally, Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy sat at the table, catching up on current and past events. Though, Raven revealed little of what happened to her.

Cyborg got up from the table, stretching, "All right, all right, it's getting late folks. Let's wrap it up." He turned to the living room, raising his voice, "It's past midnight, munchkins!"

Two out of four heads popped up to be visible from the back of the couch, "Aw, Cyborg! But The Haunted is about to start! After this, okay? Please!"

"What? I'm in!" Beast Boy quickly ran from his chair and jumped over the couch, landing a spot and a few laughs from the younger titans.

Cyborg rolled his eyes, "Fine, but training's still at noon tomorrow! You slack, you get extra laps, you hear?"

Various tones of, "Aye, aye, Captain!" were heard from the living room.

Wally stood up and offered Raven a hand as they got ready to leave also.

"I'm gonna be setting up the security system for tonight. No going out, kay?" Cyborg talked over his shoulder while he typed various commands into the console in the kitchen.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Victor." Raven said, while smiling.

Wally laid his hand on the back of Raven's wings, about to guide her out of the room. It was a subconscious habit of his; guiding people.

"Ah!" Raven winced, stepping forward to avoid Wally's touch.

"Oh geez, I'm sorry, Raven. I forgot you were bandaged." Wally chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of his head.

'Yeah. I have to do something about these wings..' "It's alright, Wallace. I'm fine. Just a bit sore."

Wally smiled, "Okay then. Shall I show the princess her room for tonight then?"

"Hey, hey! You guys aren't sharing! She's got her old room still in touch!" Cyborg had turned around, grinning.

Raven, surprised, "My room? You guys didn't .. clean it out yet?"

Wally turned to her, shock on his face, "Why in the free world would they clean it out? Why would anyone clean it out, for that matter?"

"Are you speaking about the fact that I had disappeared, became a criminal, and then died?" A grin on her face, "Or-" She turned to Cyborg, "Is no one's brave enough to step into the supposed creepy quarters?"

--

"I guess this is goodnight then." Wally felt like he was a kid again, standing outside Raven's door, while she leaned on the frame, looking at him with those witty eyes of hers.

"It is." She smiled, she knew exactly how he was feeling, and she found it a bit charming.

Wally glanced to the side, "I'm next door."

She nodded, "You are."

"If you need me-"

"I know."

He looked down at her, brushing her hair out of her face, "It's good to have you back."

She stayed quiet, watching him.

"Okay then, goodnight Raven."

"Goodnight Wallace."

She tilted her head, allowing herself to view his back as he opened his door, "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

Wally looked at her, his foot in his room, confused, "Leav- Oh. Uh-" He looked up while he thought, then to her, "Noon sounds okay?"

Raven nodded, "If I'm not in my room, I'm meditating. So just call me a few times, and I'll be here."

Wally grinned, already knowing all that from years before, "Sure thing."

She nodded her goodnight then closed the door.

As soon as she made sure he was inside his own room. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"My wings are killing me," muttering she opened her dresser drawer and looked over a few clothings to see which still fit, "And who knew I was this small before?"

She scoffed, finding none that would fit her current size, "Apparently I'm fatter than ever."

Raven turned around, looking over her shoulder into the mirror, analyzing her wings. The bandages already lose and damp with her blood.

"I'm gonna need to wash and heal before I can tuck these back in.." She thought for a moment, biting her lip.

Should she, or shouldn't she..

With a sigh, she disappeared right as her bedroom door opened, revealing Wally holding a package.

"Uh.. Raven? I stole some clothes from Kory's room-" He squinted, his vision desperately trying to get used to the darkness, revealing nothing. "Meditating already?"

He frowned, "Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaven! Come on! Hellooooo-" He stopped, remembering one time he bothered her meditation when they were kids. He was in a cast for weeks. He broke in a sweat, not moving for a couple seconds. Finally deciding that he didn't successfully call her, he dumped the clothes on her bed and sped out of her room.

--

Raven sighed once more, but this time out of pleasure as the hot water cascaded against her wings and body.

She reached out, one hand already on the wall, and turned the knob, making the water hotter. Steam covered the whole area.

The shower was quite large. More like a large ballroom with sprinklers. But it really was built as a shower. For well, cleansing robots, maybe.

Her wings stretched and flexed behind her, her clothes and bandages in a pile near the glass door. One wall was all glass for the purpose of overseeing operations.

Raven didn't worry. She knew no one would mind. Whether the fact they knew she was here didn't matter either. She should be gone by the time they chose to go to her.

Maybe.

She turned off the water, breathing in the heat while she concentrated on closing her wounds.

Bzzzz.

Raven looked up as someone entered the room, their silhouette holding a pile of towels.

She smiled, Took him long enough.

The man watched as Raven opened the glass enclosure, the steam quickly escaping, and was not at all surprised at the addition of feathers.

Raven gratefully took a towel from him, and wrapped it around herself, using the other towel to lazily dry her hair and hang around her neck.

"Miss Raven. It is indeed a pleasure to see you again. Shall I prepare some tea?"

She thought about it. Her mind warning her it was an hour past midnight already.

A smile formed on her face, it'd only be for tonight.

"Yes, I'd like that very much. Thank you Wintergreen."