Chapter 8

"We therefore commit Bruce's body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life..." the priest was finishing the service. There was a whirl of emotions with Raven's mind. She felt sick to her stomach with grief for her fallen friend. Anger, that whatever forces had separated them. And confusion, as to how she would carry on being the Dark Knight without her mentor.

People began to leave burial site, and head to their cars to leave. Raven couldn't go; not yet at least. She knelt down next to the shiny black casket and put a hand on it and whispered, "Bruce..." she wanted to cry again, but she felt as though it was time to stay strong, "I will never forget what you did for me. You brought me back to life; brought out great things that I didn't even know I had in me. You taught me how to love and to care again. And for that I thank you. And I promise, I will not let you down."

She got up and gazed at the casket for a few more moments. She was not aware of the figure standing behind her.

"Raven?" he said. The voice was so familiar, but different at the same time. It was one that she heard before, but now it was more mature, more solemn. Raven turned around, and looked at the man that stood before her. He was. Tall, with an extremely handsome face, and had a white rose in his hand. What shocked Raven were his eyes, the bright blue eyes that shimmered in the afternoon sun. She had never seen them before; that was because they had always been hidden behind a mask. They looked into each other's eyes for what felt like an eternity, but in actuality was only a few seconds tops. Dick Grayson, who she knew as Nightwing, stared to walk toward her, beginning to say, "I can't believe.." but was unable to finish, because Raven hurried past him down the grass to her car, not daring to look behind her. The driver opened the door for her, and she got into the vehicle. She looked out of the tinted window up at Bruce's resting place. She saw him kneel, as she did just moments before, placing the flower on top of the box, with his head held down.

"Where to, Ms. Raven?" the driver asked.

"Home," She said.

When she arrived at the house, Raven immediately went to the cave, where her friend Victor was working diligently on the super computer. When he heard her enter, he stood, "Hey, how'd it go?"

"It was a nice service...," Raven said, sounding very down. Victor noticed she still was really upset, and asked, "Do you want to talk about it? Cuz Rae I'm here."

"Thanks. I think I'm coming to terms with the whole thing... Victor, I saw him there, and he definitely saw me too. Victor looked confused and questioned, "Saw who?"

"Nightwing.. But he was dressed as a civilian, but I know it was him."

"Oh wow... Well it makes sense. Bruce was like a father to him, and now we know in more ways than one."

"Does he know.. About me I mean, did you tell him. And what about the others?"

"Raven, I have been with you since Bruce's passing. Even if I wanted to tell them I haven't had the chance. And besides, this is not my secret to tell. You choose to tell whoever you please, but you know I would never-" Victor sounded a little hurt.

"I know, you're right. I'm sorry," Raven said hugging her friend. "So what have you been working on?"

"I found dust particles of zynothium on the disk. It's found in two places around the world. S.T.A.R. Labs and there are traces in the rubble of where we defeated Slade and Terra."

"Ok, I'll check out the rubble first, see if anything stirring over there, then I'll check the labs, and let you know what I find. Oh and Victor..Thanks, I really appreciate this," she said starting to change into her armor.

"No problem. But if you start calling me Robin I'll kill you," he said with a chuckle and a smile. Raven put on her mask, and laughed, "Oh Vic, I'd like to see you try." It was nice to have him there, and someone to confide in, Raven thought leaving the cave. And then Raven knew she wasn't alone in this; at least had Victor.

**Back in jump city, Dick was beside himself. He was upset for the loss of his surrogate father. But seeing her there in front of him, it was breath taking. She made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time; hope. He was back in his blue and black uniform, mask on and heading into the common room, where his two other friends were.

"Dude! How did the business go in Gotham?" Beast Boy asked, in his normal joyful voice.

"Yes, I hope everything went to your liking," Starfire, said with a twinkle in her big green eyes.

"Yeah, things went better than I expected," Nightwing. The other two, satisfied with his answer, went back to their pastimes. Dick went to the computer, he needed to find her.**

Coming Up Next: Continuation of Chapter 8. Raven persues with the case. And deals with upcoming problems in her "regular" life.