A/N: I cannot tell you how great it is to finally get this chapter out of the way. Know why? Because this The End of Robin's Tale! AND, the start of His & Raven's! Confetti everywhere lol. That is to say, that this is the last chapter before I finally include Raven and get this story rolling because I'm gonna be totally honest – this story's been moving slow. Would you agree? I felt I dragged it out too much and that certain chapters should've been smushed together to get it going. But no longer! From this point on, things in the plot will happen more quickly. Woohoo, at least I hope and don't end up becoming a perfectionist. I hate that, it almost prevented me from writing this chapter and wanting to rewrite the whole damn thing. NO! Lol, I'm just getting started!

Note: Many of the previous chapters have been modified so you can re-read them to clarify yourselves!

About this chapter: Kay, so in this chapter, as the finale part to Part 1 and Richard's first experiences in Arkham (which I hope was settled well with everyone), a few new faces appear and yeah you can guess them. Be warned: There's a little RobStar or RichardKory-ness going on in this one but it's still going to be a RaeRob story so don't go all grotesque on me! So I hope you like! More A/N is at the bottom so this doesn't look so gross on top. Now get your reading on!

( And so, )

After Bruce left, Richard was allowed to go outside. When his scheduled nurse asked him where he might want to visit, the seventeen-year-old requested if they could head over to the Arkham botanical gardens. The hospital had very few luxuries for the stay-ins, and its gardens were one of them.

The nurse, at first, seemed reluctant to agree to Richard's choice. The gardens were surprisingly very well kept but they were also quite secluded in certain areas – should a nurse turn away or step into a step into a spot that couldn't be seen by others, many of the patients in the past had taken advantage of them or tried to escape. Richard's nurse believed the myth, but when the teen insisted that he'd already been there before with his family in the 'healthy days', the nurse figured that a meek young man like him wasn't trying to stir up trouble. So around early evening, they went.

x

Botanical Gardens

The nurse sighed and took a seat on a nearby chair, wiping his palms on his pants before giving a small glance at Richard who went to take a cautious seat beside him. Because he wasn't deemed with criminal insanity 'to the extremities', Richard was allowed to socialize with workers and other patients in the hospital under some supervision, unlike terrors like Jack and Crane, the latter who he learned was no longer allowed out of his room after his hysteria in the foyer with Arkham's special donor, Bruce Wayne.

"You can take a small walk around if you want, Richard. So long as I can see you," the nurse said calmly. Richard lifted his eyebrows and pursed his lips thoughtfully. And here he thought every staff worker in this hospital had him on a leash, but he wasn't going to question this nurse's motives in case he lost his chance at some freedom.

"Uh… thanks," he said slowly, as he got up from the bench and after watching the male nurse settle into a relaxed position, Richard turned around and headed for a spot further down the garden path.

His soft shoes padded quietly on the dirty cement pathway, brushing up dry leaves and clumps of soil as he moved. Richard looked around sharply, noting the strange choice in plants and statues they had. As he walked past a plaque dedicated to 'Thomas and Martha Wayne', Richard felt a chill run up his spine.

Then, he heard voices starting to grow louder as he continued walking.

And whomever one of them belonged to, was also crying.

"I can't believe this… I just can't believe this," a feminine voice said softly.

As Richard neared a badly cut shrub at the end, he turned his raven-haired head to the right and saw a woman sitting in a chair. Her back was to him as she talked to another male nurse who had her hands in his. He looked sad and detached as the red-haired woman continued to weep and mumble.

"Can't go back…" she cried softly. "Th-they'll never go back to t-the way they once were…"

"Shh, Pamela(1) it's going to be all right. W-we'll tend to them again, okay?"

The nurse rubbed her hands slowly and comfortingly, trying to calm her emotions but she just kept shaking her head. Had it not been for her name, Pamela, Richard would have thought it was Kory because the woman had long, red hair. But what was she going on about?

"The flowers… the flowers… y-you know I used to work here, David …" she mumbled again; she spoke quite loudly that Richard could hear.

"I know you did, Pamela," the nurse replied, nodding his head. When he looked up briefly and saw Richard standing still behind her, his face paled slightly before he turned his head to Richard's nurse and gave a gesture. Richard's nurse waved a hand dismissively as if to tell him, 'S'okay, he isn't gonna do anything'. The nurse eyed Richard carefully before giving his attention back to the crying woman.

"I …I-I was a botanist here… I helped the gardeners. Came in sometimes to …t-to rest. Heh, now look at me. C-confined to the very institution I hoped to help," she sighed and sniffled.

"Pamela, don't be afraid okay? The Doctor says he'll help fix you remember?"

Pamela turned her head to the side to wipe her face. Richard looked at her pale skin, much unlike Kory's sun-kissed glow, and noticed she had a permanent mark of a bruise on her right hand. When she turned back to David, she nodded her head.

"Yes, Dr. Wilson's been helping me get better," she assured him and herself. Richard felt his eyebrows crease together. Another patient of Dr. Slade… so far, he'd met now three.

"Killing my mentor has opened me up to my true natures, David," she continued. "I-I'm sometimes afraid I'll hurt near and dear ones like yourself and the other hospital workers… but I know I can beat this. This disease won't stop me from accepting my mistakes and moving on with life."

David nodded.

"I just wish that I wasn't taking so long to cure myself," she pondered thoughtfully. "I hear Miss Kory is getting out within the next few weeks… while I've been here nearly 2 years." But David intervened.

"You're not the only one so don't feel bad. Kory is just a special case, but most generally don't stay for that short. Look at Miss Selina, she's been here 3 years! And hey… at least you're not like Miss Rachel."

"That's true," Pamela nodded. "I'm better than she is."

When Richard heard this, his mind went to the image of the young girl who'd been knocked down by Kory in the cafeteria. Rachel… how long had she been here? She's about my age.

Suddenly more footsteps were heard and both Pamela and David turned their heads to a pathway Richard could not see. In alert, David jumped up and clutched Pamela's hand to help her off of her chair.

"It's Garfield," he said quickly, then looking at Pamela he asked, "L-let's head to the foyer."

Pamela nodded her head frantically and began to lead him.

"Yes, Garfield (2)…he scares me," and they both began heading off in another direction. When they were gone, Richard tried to return back to his nurse when a small chipmunk jumped in his way and began eating dry grass on the cement.

"What's a chipmunk doing here of all places?" he asked himself. The greenhouse was bone dry, and if birds didn't even want to fly around Arkham, what made a chipmunk live around here? Before he could do anything else, quick feet were pounding the cement behind him and when he turned his head, a skinny boy about his age appeared from behind the shrubs. He was panting heavily and his forest green eyes were wide behind his short bangs of blonde hair. He was shorter than Richard, but he looked like he had more energy.

Richard opened his mouth to say… well, not to say anything really because he just wanted to leave the boy alone, but when the boy finally realized he was looking at him, he grinned. Richard grew confused.

"Are you new?" the boy asked quickly. Apparently, Richard wasn't as popular as he'd thought. Not wanting to say anything threatening, he nodded his head.

"That's great! A new in-mate! Hehe, sorry kind of a joke around here! I know it's a hospital and all but…" the boy laughed sheepishly and went to extend his hand. "I'm Garfield. First name-basis only around here."

Richard eyed the hand before slowly going to give him a quick shake. 'Richard."

Garfield nodded and pulled back. "I hope you got the chance to meet Kory too. She's one of my best friends here and very nice to everyone. We're both actually leaving pretty soon. Too bad you just got in, you could've left with us!"

Richard raised an eyebrow. This boy was too perky. How could anyone talk about being admitted to Arkham like it was a school? 'Too bad you just got in'? What kind of dumb illusion was that? Not particularly liking where their conversation was going, Richard continued it anyway.

"You're being let out?" he asked slowly. Garfield nodded eagerly.

"I wasn't here for that long to begin with. Kory was, but we both made a pact to stick it together and well, I guess our luck is improving. There used to be another guy with us too. Victor.(3) But he was let out some months ago and I don-!"

"When you say, you weren't here for long to being with, what does that mean?" Richard asked, quite rudely getting into Garfield's business. But he didn't care, and Garfield didn't seem to mind gloating his history.

"I was let in for a 'precautionary' sort-of-thing," he replied. "My Mom and Pop thought for my safety, it'd be okay if I was let in. I haven't seen them since they dropped me off the first day, but since family's not allowed to see you, they'll be proud to know I can come home soon." Garfield kept grinning but Richard felt his mood turn sourer.

Who told him family was not allowed to visit patients? They were allowed.

"You mean, in the foyer," Richard asked to confirm his suspicions.

"The where?"

"Nevermind." Richard turned away and looked back onto the chipmunk still eating in front of him. So they were lying to him, and that probably meant Garfield's family were lying to him too. That, or they didn't want him.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. In a few days, I'll be deemed 'cured' by Dr. Slade and Kory and I will be living life to the fullest. No more obsessive compulsions on the animals, right Mr. Chipmunk?" Garfield kneeled on his hands and gave the chipmunk a dark look. Like lightning, the chipmunk scampered away. When Garfield got back up, he had a dark look cross over his face for a moment before shaking his head.

"Stupid animals. They're the reason my parents thought I needed treatment. You try to skin one or two with your bare hands for show, and suddenly you're a murderer… I was only doing it for biology." Richard nodded his head, but something in Garfield's tone made him only believe half of his words.

"Anyway, good luck with everything, Richard," Garfield said and Richard nodded gratefully wanting to leave, but Garfield called out to him again before he turned around.

"Oh, and one more thing. A little bit of info that Victor taught Kory and I. Something that the hospital doesn't teach you." Richard looked at him intently curious.

"After 1:30 am, the halls are virtually empty for three hours. You wouldn't know with all the screaming and crying that goes on around that time but honestly, the staff hates doing night shifts." And with a wink, Garfield left Richard with this one moment of happiness, because he realized it was true. Richard was a light sleeper, and never once during the night did the nurses ever check up on him after midnight.

x

That night, Richard stayed up late into the night until the sounds of footsteps walking outside in the hall were virtually gone. When he was sure that it was around 2am, he opened his door silently (thankful for a non-squeaky one) and peered out into the hallway. Sure enough, no one was around and the lights were dimmed to add more darkness.

Holding his breath, his took a brave step out and closed his bedroom door behind him. A rush of adrenaline fueled his veins as he grinned like a madman.

Thank you, Garfield!, he cheered mentally before he bent low and tiptoed across the hall. He was careful to be extra quiet past Jack and Dr. Slade's office, trying to keep it safe in case they were still alert or inside, despite their lights being off. When he reached the stairwell, taking a brave look, he journeyed up the old stairs to the third floor. He'd never been up there before and even though his head was screaming it was bad idea, he went anyway. Once he reached the open doorframe of the new hallway, he craned his neck slowly out to see what lie beyond it. It was darker than his floor and he breathed a sigh of relief when no one looked like there were around.

Everyone except Kory. His heart pounded a little. He wasn't sure how she was after the incident in the cafeteria. She had gone hysterical and they had to put her to sleep. Was she really that dangerous? Feeling brave, and assuring himself that Kory knew Garfield and his secret, he stepped out from around his hiding place and tried to fix his hair quickly. He smiled as he walked up her. She was leaning on a large windowsill and was looking out into the night sky.

"Hey Kory," he whispered softly. When she turned slowly and saw him standing there, she smiled warmly and moved a little to give them both room. Richard went to lean on it beside her.

"I see you've met Garfield, Richard. I'm glad to see you again," she whispered back as she continued to stare up at the night sky. Richard nodded and relaxed in his position.

"It's nice to see you too. How is everything?" he asked unsure but wanting to know. He watched her eyebrows crease as she frowned.

"Very well, save for the incident that happened prior in the cafeteria with Mr. Crane, as I'm sure you know," she sighed and shook her head continuing, "That man… oh, how he infuriates me. I have never been as mad as I was that day in so long. Luckily the nurses were kind enough to take care of me…" Richard pursed his lips. Take care of? They had no choice to but to throw her down like an animal, but he didn't say it as he continued to listen.

"I was crying in Dr. Wilson's office for days, afraid that it might upset my compromise for my early leave and progress. But he has assured that I am still looking towards a clean bill of health. That Crane is just an ass and everyone knows it." Richard laughed softly.

"Yeah, that's true." At that warm reply, Kory turned to him and gave him a tender smile. An emotion flitted through her eyes that caught Richard's breath in his throat and he had to look away, blushing slightly under her soft gaze. She was so beautiful.

"S-so… what are you doing out here anyway?" he asked awkwardly trying to turn attention away from the intense moment. Kory turned her head up to the sky again.

"I've always had a love for astronomical studies(4). Anything astral. I used to own a telescope as a child and would look up at the stars for many nights," she sighed and Richard couldn't help but grin. Like him, she had a taste for something she couldn't really explain but enjoyed. She continued, "I hope that once I leave here, I can go back to school and return to my studies. It's very improper for a woman to be studying the stars… they might turn me towards divination or worse, tarot-card reader!" She laughed quietly.

"Hey, that might not be so bad," Richard tried to laugh but couldn't. "You'd get to be in a circus. I've always wanted to go to the circus.(5)"

"I suppose…" she said but stopped then shook her head. "All the same, I hope you can come and find Garfield and I once you leave Arkham, Richard. It would be nice to have a family again." She meant in the mutual way and Richard understood. He truly believed Kory was not a bad person.

"I promise," he said. When he was about to reach for her hand and give her a comforting squeeze, a sound somewhere far off on the second floor was heard. Richard and Kory pulled back from the windowsill and stared down the hall.

"Oh no," Kory breathed. Richard furrowed his eyebrows.

"Shit," he hissed. Kory turned to him quickly with wide green eyes.

"If they catch you up here, you'll be here longer than you anticipated, Richard!"

"But what can I do? They're already on my floor," he whispered back. With a swish of her long, red hair, Kory eyed her familiar hallway and blinked. Raising a hand she pointed.

"Head into that linen closet! They won't go to check in there should they come up to the third floor," she whispered as she headed down the other end of the hall.

"Where are you going?" he breathed quickly.

"To my room," she answered already tip-toeing quickly back to her door. "And I don't think that it's best to meet again after this." Understanding, Richard nodded and gave Kory one, last good-luck wave and silently proceeded down the hall to the door she had pointed at.

But it was so dark that he couldn't remember which one she had pointed to. There were many doors and they all looked the same. So holding his breath and praying for the best, he went to the one he hoped that she had meant and turned the knob slowly. Once it opened enough for him to get through, he slipped in quietly and shut it behind him. In the darkness of the room, his heart pounded wildly in his chest and his senses were on high. All he could think was, 'Please don't check my room!', 'Please don't check my room!', that he didn't even feel the presence of the other person in the room with him.

Until she spoke quite coldly, "What are you doing in my room?" and he felt himself jump to the ceiling.

( Let the madness begin. )

A/N: So what d'you think? Cliffhanger-enough for you? The end to Robin's part, finally! And let the good times roll, haha I'm so glad I'm writing this story now for the October season – if you celebrate Halloween-style like we do in the Western world, then you'll understand how good it feels to go all creepy and supernatural right now. Alright so…

(1) Anyone can guess who she is? I know she's an overarching tease-of-a-bitch in truth, but for the sake of my story, I wanted her to be one of the good guys who was put in Arkham by mistake. Cookie if you get her!

(2) Okay, if you couldn't get him, I must have seriously made him OOC – but lemme know if it worked!

(3) Okay if you don't remember him, that's sad!

(4) She's Kory! She's gotta be somehow related to her comics! So I hope that sits well with y'all.

(5) Because he's Robin! That reference to Dick Grayson's gotta stick somewhere am I right?

So there you have it! Chapter 6, and I'm happy with how this result turned out! A little something to nibble on for your weekend, and if you're from Canada like I am and are enjoying the long weekend, I just wanna say Happy Thanksgiving! Now until my next chapter, which is the start of Part 2, I hope you all have a relaxing upcoming week. God, I'm tired! So I'm just gonna to lie somewhere and start writing Chapter 7 while you review this baby. And please do! I LOVE getting reviews and feedback from my readers; and plus, it motivates me! :) Until then, I'm outtie!