Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.

The Healer

Chapter 7: Shadow

Days rolled by like a smooth flow of words from a song for Robin. Despite the burden he has on his leg, he felt all is well like the man who received a yes from his significant other. Whenever he had trouble, whether from moving around or due to emotional stress, he did not hesitate to call on his nurse: Raven. He never referred to her with this title directly, but in his mind she is his little nurse; his sweet and caring Raven. It was sudden; Robin did not know when it started but suddenly he just saw Raven as this entity that gives him comfort and joy.

Days were not boring as long as she was there to check up on him and talk to him. His insides are ablaze when he catches a glimpse of her; and when he sees her smile, he needs more than crutches to hold him up. In her presence, he would melt, and to hear her voice— uttering kind words—is enough to lose all sensation.

The first few days Robin started to notice these feelings, he was confused—almost fearful—for he was completely shocked. Raven is his friend; someone who has been there for some time now. Yet, why now? Why, for some reason, does he start to feel the way he does? Those first few days terrified him because it was the first time he felt so lost.

By now he has gotten used to the feeling and has learned to cope with it. In the end, it was a feeling he liked and would never trade for anything. He would watch her as she passed by and notice just how radiant she can be. And at times, he would see those tiny details even microscopes cannot detect: how a strand of hair dangles before her eyes; how a bead of sweat would stream down her cheek and forehead whenever she was hard at work; and how beautiful her pale skin would be under the sunlight and especially under the moonlight. But then he would catch himself during these dazed moments and reprimand himself. Yet how else can he satisfy his being? He felt that he would burst if he could not get a single glance of admiration at his beautiful friend Raven.

The following week, Robin was fully healed.

Night came and went, and daylight now filled the tower as birds chirped outside to welcome the day. Robin was in the bathroom washing his face. His movements were uneasy though and traces of sweat could be found on his shirt. He turned off the faucet and placed his hands on the sink. He breathed slowly and he looked at the mirror. Last night, he had another peculiar dream.

"From the shadows I will reveal myself...and into the shadows you will go and disappear..." Robin quoted the dream.

He heaved a sigh and grimaced.

"There's that laughter again."

He turned on the hot water and allowed it to run until the steam made the mirror foggy. The mirror squeaked as his finger moved writing something on it. It said "shadow" and he underlined it. Then he turned the water off and wiped the mirror clean. He grabbed the towel nearby and dried his face. Noises were coming from the dining room; behold, the tower was alive. He got dressed and made his way to the living room.

When he got there, the scene was vibrant; Cyborg and Beast Boy's horseplay made a lot of noise but it was necessary to break the stillness leftover from last night and Starfire was off to the side, in the kitchen, making who-knows-what with many strange ingredients around her work area, and she was cheerfully humming. Her smile along with the laughter of both Cyborg and Beast Boy created a perfect picture. But Robin scanned the room and noticed that the picture was flawed.

He walked down the steps and asked,

"Where's Raven?"

Beast Boy paused and so did Cyborg. They looked at their leader.

"Haven't seen her," shrugged Cyborg.

"I think she's still sleeping," replied Beast Boy. "Want me to check?"

"No, I got it," said Robin. "Thanks."

Once again he walked the halls.

When the doors were closing, Starfire halted her humming and looked over her shoulder. She saw the corner of Robin's cape exiting the room. The humming continued as well as the laughter.

Robin stood in front of Raven's door. He looked around and felt that this part of the hallway seemed cooler and darker. He decided to knock and waited for a response. A second time and silence replied.

"Raven?" he said. "Are you awake?"

Robin was about to knock a third time when he heard her voice inside. Pressing his ear against the metal door, he listened more intently. Then she spoke again.

"Shadow" was the word uttered inside the room. Robin's eyes widened.

"What?"

He listened again and what he heard next forced him to jump back from the door.

"Get away!" she screamed.

"Raven!"

He rushed forward and tackled the door. The door slammed against the floor with a very loud crash and from behind him Robin drew his staff. He saw Raven sitting up on her bed, sweat dripping down her face, and she was breathing heavily. Their eyes met and Robin was overwhelmed by the terror he saw in her eyes. He ran to her side and kneeled on the bed next to her.

"Raven, are you ok?" he asked.

Raven placed her hand over her face and she sighed.

"It was a dream. A dream," she said. "I'm all right."

Her voice was weak and her body trembled. Robin noticed how she seemed to sway side to side as she sat upright.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Raven?"

Without looking at him, Raven replied,

"I'm tired."

Her hand fell on the bed and she leaned towards Robin. She was quiet as she rested her head on his chest.

"Raven?"

But she was asleep.

The other three titans rushed into the room with Beast Boy in the lead.

"What happened?" he exclaimed.

Robin looked at them and simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't really know."

Cyborg approached them on the bed and leaned over to check on Raven. He placed the back of his hand on her forehead.

"She's okay now," said Robin.

"Yeah." Cyborg paused. "But it looks like she has a fever."

"What?"

Robin replaced Cyborg's hand on Raven's forehead.

"See for yourself," Cyborg said.

Robin held his hand in place for a moment and then he looked at Cyborg.

"She does."

They shared an expression of worry. Robin handed Raven over to Cyborg who proceeded to lay her down properly on the bed. Beast Boy and Starfire came over beside Robin and all four stood in silence watching their teammate rest. Robin stood and walked over to the felled door. The door gave a metallic groan as he lifted it off the floor.

"We should get this fixed," said Robin half smiling at the others.

Beast Boy smiled back.

"You break it, you fix it," he retorted.

"I know, I know." Then he motioned his hand. "Now come on, she needs to rest."

As Robin exited the room, he had to move awkwardly just so that the door would not hit the opening. His weird poses invited smiles from the faces of Beast Boy and Cyborg and drew a giggle from Starfire. One by one the titans left Raven's room and each one could not help but look back at the sleeping girl. The room was now empty and an air of stillness descended upon the chamber. A light draft blew in through the door-less frame which made Raven shiver a little causing her to pull up her blanket.

What is going on, asked Robin to no one in particular. Is it possible we're having the same nightmares? He fell back into his swivel chair and rolled up to the desk. Resting his elbows on the hard surface, his mind went into deep thought. Nights of restless sleep used to be far apart but lately startled awakenings have become gradually sequential. What made it more bizarre was that it always involved a doppelgänger of Robin. The mimic had a most unpleasant expression, always wearing a vicious smile hungry for chaos and a laugh—a laugh that was most terrifying—that would make anyone's blood run cold.

Does she also see that man? Does she also hear that laugh? Robin leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

"Maybe I should ask her about her dream."

With a groan he stood up and stretched his arms over his head. He left his study and headed for his room. After changing into a pair of shorts and a plain t-shirt, he pulled out a towel from his dresser.

"A little workout will clear my mind."

As he made his way through the halls, he saw Raven walking towards him. Instantly, he noticed her unhappy expression while she walked as though drunk. Robin stopped to make sure the swaying girl was alright.

"Raven? You shouldn't be walking around. You're sick."

Raven's eyes slowly rose to meet Robin's stare. Between gritted teeth, she groaned trying to get a few words out.

"I-I'm alright."

She leaned on the wall and let out a huge sigh. Robin hastily approached the girl and placed his hand on her shoulder. He tried to support her but she pushed his hand away.

"I'm fine I said."

She pushed herself off the wall and continued on her way.

"Just need a little air," she added as she walked away.

Robin watched Raven move down the hallway with uneasy steps. He wanted to follow her and make sure that she was capable of going on alone, but he saw it in her eyes—she didn't want to be bothered. Something was agitating her and he knew he needed to stay clear of that. Then again, who wouldn't be mad if they found their door busted? I should get that fixed soon, Robin thought. And make it quick. As soon as Raven disappeared around the corner, Robin went on his way in the opposite direction.

Raven's room was on the way to the gym so he was bound to pass it anytime soon. The door-less frame came into view and as Robin neared the threshold he could not help but let out a chuckle. Memories from this morning, of how he carelessly destroyed someone's property, descended upon him and as he thought about that poor door his chuckle grew into full blown laughter. But as quickly as he had erupted, he covered his mouth to silence his almost idiotic laughter. He realized that there was no need to cover his mouth since Raven was already up and there was no one to bother. In fact, his hand moved on instinct; disturbing Raven is taboo and every member knows that and has been aware of that fact for a long time so shutting his or her mouth whenever close to Raven's door became a learned behavior and a necessary one at that.

He quickened his pace past the door for the open doorway revealed the dark room, which, Robin admitted once, gives him the chills. Robin was not even five feet away from the door when he stopped suddenly. A single glance from his peripherals froze his body. Slowly he traced his steps back to the front of the door. When he looked in, he gasped ceasing his breath; he stood in silence, his movements suspended. In front of him, in the bed, was Raven fast asleep―the atmosphere around her was overwhelmingly peaceful. Her easy and soft breathing mocked Robin for shock gripped his chest and threatened to strangle his very breath out of him.

"Raven," he said.

"Shh, you'll wake her," whispered a voice into his ear from behind.

Robin's blood ran cold.

"I can't believe it took you this long to realize. It's a shame really. I thought you were a better leader than that, Robin."

Robin began to turn but the stranger got a hold on him binding his arms and managing a tight lock around his neck.

"Move and I twist your head a hundred-eighty degrees."

Robin's attempts at breaking free stopped as he was forced to listen. But before submitting completely, Robin had to ask:

"Who are you?"

The stranger chuckled.

"Isn't it obvious? I am you and you are me."

Robin's eyes widened.

"From the shadows, I revealed myself. And into the shadows, Robin, you will disappear."

Chapter end