Chapter Three:

Several days later, the weather had improved enough to allow Raven to once again meditate on the beach. She had only just begun to sift through the myriad emotions and reactions that her little revelation had caused. Loving Robin when she could see him mooning over another when all she could get was friendship.

As if in response to her plight, the weather, unusually warm and mild to begin with had turned into a series of violent storms that lashed the city and the Tower, leaving crime at a standstill. It was both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing that she now had the liberty to meditate almost continually to bring these new reactions under control. This had been accomplished in the safety of her room with its powerful shields that also kept out unwanted visitors.

However, one thing at a time; she had to get over her loss of Robin. That had happened even before she knew, so there really was not that much hope was there?

He was the perfect leader, the one who outwardly stood in the light, leading them to great, good things. He was also meant for Star, who with her sweet nature banished away his dark moods

She hadn't been able to talk to him about his past delusion. That was her excuse to begin to ask him about his relationship; then about this stalking thing. That seemed like the perfect strategy to her at the beginning.

Raven hadn't counted on the fact that he would be avoiding her for some unknown reason. Usually he irritated the hell out of her by constantly asking her how she was, he hoped she hadn't been only meditating, etcetera.

She sighed softly, wrenching her mind back to her meditation. However, once again, she felt his comforting soothing presence at the back of her mind. He was watching her again.

Soothed and comforted by his steady presence, he began her monotonous chant. She repeated it over and over. She had almost forgotten how soothing and loving his very presence felt to her.

Robin once again watched Raven meditating on the rock that almost seemed 'hers'. He had sat on that very same rock many times in the past. He had just sat there after she had vacated it, when the warmth from her slender body still lingered like a ghost of half-remembered perfume. He could feel the peace that seemed almost embedded into the stone, the sense of peace that her face had displayed still lingering to wrap him in its folds.

He had been avoiding her these past few days; and he felt a little sheepish about that. It was just that every time she looked at him her eyes seemed to bore into him. It was normal for her and he was used to it.

But lately she had looked at him with a peculiar intensity, like she was looking deep down inside to the deepest regions of his soul.

No t that she would find anything new, as she had seen it all already. But somehow it seemed as if she knew something about him. And that she was trying to prove that. Could she have found out that he was stalking her?

He hoped not, it would be incredibly embarrassing not to mention that he would have to admit his feelings for her. And she would most likely be very not amused.

But if she knew, she would have confronted him by now. So he was safe. For now. He would have to tell her sooner or later, but for now, the break-up for Star was still raw, and it would not do for her to be distracted and confused.

She was irritatingly naive and almost too sunny. Sometimes he just wanted sympathy in his dark moods, not optimism. He needed understanding, not to have to explain everything. In some ways she was worse than a child.

Finally he couldn't take it anymore and abruptly broke it off. And he had no regrets. Not even the tiniest shade of guilt. Looking at Raven he finally knew the type of girl he needed, wanted. Someone who understood, someone intelligent, someone to help him in his obsessions for criminals, someone who would understand subtleties and hints, in short, someone just like her.

This peculiar two way discovery and gathering of thoughts continued as the sun continued to rise. Both remained in their respective places. Each soothed by the other's presence.

Continuing her meditation Raven summoned her elementals. They were little Fauns for Earth, Salamanders for Fire, though they came reluctantly due to her proximity to water; Sylphs, fragile elf like creatures for Air and finally, several Undines; little creatures in the shape of women yet seemed to be made of the very water that surrounded them.

She had summoned them to aid her in the meditations to control and to orient herself with her new emotion. This was the first time in a long while that both need and circumstance had made this possible. Normally she summoned them withought any need, but just to have a sympathetic ear, and never all four elements at once.

Concluding her meditation and dismissing the guardians with her thanks, she made a snap decision. She would confront her evasive leader about this stalking thing, and she would do it today.

As she got up to leave, she suddenly noticed that Robin was a lot closer than he had been. As she walked back to the Tower, a sudden jolt warned her to the fact that she was passing right by him. Absently she noticed that it was a perfect hiding place.

In a split second, a mischievous thought formed in her mind. She turned her back on him and took a few steps onward toward her supposed destination. Suddenly she whirled around, staring directly at his hiding spot. In her most monotone voice, she commented,

'Long time no see, Robin. Pray tell why are you here?'

' Shit, I'm screwed.' Robin thought.

A/N. So how was it? I'm sorry I took so long to update but I had a bad case of writer's

block on this and the next couple of chapters. I have therefore begun on the ending.

Anyway, please leave a review on your way out, it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.