Robin
He gives Batman, Alfred, and Raven a report on his night in the asylum. Raven watches him intently as he goes over everything. Batman nods every so often, logging all of the information away.
Alfred shakes his head. He doesn't have to voice his thoughts, Robin knows them; he's too young to be in this kind of life. He should be going to school, chasing girls, and going to movies. And he's right, a boy Robin's age should be doing those things, but he's also wrong; Robin's life has purpose; he suffers, so that others don't have to. He sacrifices for the good of others.
Finally, Robin finishes the story.
Batman nods, still processing.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Alfred asks.
Robin nods a yes.
Raven still watches him intently, not taking her eyes off of him.
Batman stands up from his chair, then looks Robin over, then Raven.
"I'm going to report to the League," he says. "You two need to rest."
Alfred nods his agreement.
Raven shakes her head. "What we need-"
"Is to find Joker," Robin finishes.
"I've gone over everything," Batman says. "He's left no clue. Whatever he's planning, he's going to wait until nightfall. You need to take advantage of the time you have. Rest. You may not get a chance later."
"The master is right," Alfred says.
Batman walks over to the open part of the batcave, putting a finger near where his ear should be.
"Watchtower." He waits, then says, "I'm ready."
He turns back to Robin and Raven. "Alfred, prepare the young lady a room upstairs."
A bright light fills the cave, then disappears, and Batman is gone.
A grin spreads across Robin's face, knowing what Batman meant.
"What?" Raven says.
How can he explain it to her?
He nods towards a makeshift staircase behind him that Alfred is already ascending.
"Come on," he says. "Let me show you where I grew up."
She nods, then realization dawns on her face. "You mean- I get to see- You mean I-"
Robin nods a yes, already heading for the stairs.
"You coming, or not?" he calls over his shoulder.
He isn't sure why, but doesn't really care. Batman has given him permission to let Raven in on the only secret he still keeps from her.
The thought makes his heart thunder in his chest, but he doesn't know why. It's not that she'll be the first person in the hero community to know his identity; dozens of heroes know.
But still, it feels somehow special. He shrugs it off as he feels Raven floating up the stairs right behind him.
(******)
Raven
The house is humongous.
And I thought the cave was massive!
She follows Robin and Alfred through the dark-cherry-wood paneled halls. Exquisite paintings line the walls, the doors are dark wood with gold knobs.
Having heard his real name in her dreams, one google search could have told her that Robin was the ward of the eccentric, playboy, billionaire Bruce Wayne. But Raven respected his privacy, and never went looking. Though she was tempted- oh, boy, was she tempted!
But she didn't want to find out like that. She wanted him to tell her who he was, and now, he has.
She smiles, trailing behind the two men.
They stop in front of a door, and Alfred opens it.
"This will be your room," he says. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable."
Raven peers in the room. Red, wafting curtains line the enormous windows. A huge canopy bed with a dark curtain and a red blanket with white pillows sits in the center of the left wall. On the opposite wall, a large wardrobe sits adjacent to a door that she can only assume is a bathroom.
"Wow," she says.
Never has she seen anything so classically lavish. It's like a room right out of Downton Abbey- everything in the house looks like it could be from Downton Abbey, which is one show she actually likes. After all the slapstick comedies, and sci-fi oddities, and horror flicks that Beast Boy made them watch, she was surprised when Robin suggested they watch a serious drama, and was even more surprised to find a television show she likes so much.
"You grew up here?" she says for about the dozenth time in the last ten minutes.
Robin chuckles and nods another yes.
"This is the guest wing," he says. "My room's a ways from here."
"Speaking of which," Alfred says. "You should think about cleaning up before retiring."
Robin nods. "Way ahead of you, Alfred. I need a shower yesterday."
Raven's stomach rumbles. She curses it, trying to keep her face from flushing. She is suddenly so hungry that even Beast Boy's cooking sounds good- heck, even her pancakes sound good right now.
"That too," Robin says. "I could really use a bite to eat."
Alfred nods.
"Clean up, and I shall fetch you some lunch-" He narrows his eyes at Robin. "-Which you shall not be eating in the cave."
"Wherever we eat is fine with me," Raven says. "As long as we eat."
"And eat soon," Robin adds.
"Very well," Alfred says. "You clean up, and I shall make all the preparations."
"Sounds like a plan," Robin says.
He gives them a nod. "See you in a few."
Then he walks down the hall and around the corner, leaving Raven alone with Alfred.
"I will come for you when all is ready," he says.
"Thank you, Alfred," she says.
He dips his head, then strides away, leaving her alone in the hall. She goes into her room and closes the door behind her. She checks the other door, finding an immaculate bathroom with a large sunken tub, and a huge stall shower. Everything is white and spotless. If she wasn't pressed for time, she'd consider taking a bath, but she needs to eat, and soon. She pulls her clothes off, leaving them on the bedroom floor as she heads in the bathroom and closes the door.
(******)
Batman
"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Wonder Woman says, sitting across the boardroom table from him.
She has long black hair, piercing blue eyes, and perfect skin.
"I'm not sure either," Superman says a few seats down from Batman.
He rolls his eyes beneath his cowl. Superman agrees with Wonder Woman. Shocking.
He's getting tired of these games; the League acting like some kind of police force. They came together in order to stand against threats that none of them could face alone. They didn't come together to rule each others lives.
"She is dangerous," Wonder Woman says. "You can not deny that."
Batman growls. "We are all dangerous."
Wonder Woman rolls her eyes.
Green Lantern nods, leaning on his chin, nearly asleep.
"Not like she is," Superman says. "You know as well as I do, the destruction she is capable of- what happened when Trigon used her to come to this world."
"That is over now," Batman says.
Wonder Woman clasps her hands on the table. "And how do we know that? How do we know there isn't anything else waiting to happen? Her father could snatch her body at any time for all we know. Sure, we could stop her, but at what cost? How much collateral damage are you willing to tolerate?"
She stares daggers at him. Most men would cower, but not Batman. He glares back, dark but calm.
"Red Kryptonite," he says, noticing a slight wince from Superman in the corner of his vision. "Starro, Parralax, Mad Hatter-" He drills Wonder Woman with another glare. "Despero."
Those are all have taken over the minds of Leaguers in the past.
She clenches her teeth, and he notices her hands trembling in fury. Despero has controlled her mind in the past.
"The point is," he says before she gets any angrier. "We are any one of us susceptible to mind control at any time."
"But that's different," Superman says.
"Why?" Green Lantern says, suddenly alert. "Because we weren't born with it? Look, I don't wanna make waves, but I saw her tonight. She was ready to rip my head off-"
"All the more reason you should agree with us, Hal," Wonder Woman cuts him off.
Now, he gives Wonder Woman a glare. "She backed down. All her anger, all her fury, all her fear, she still saw reason. She swallowed it all and made herself useful. There is great power in someone who can swallow all that negative emotion and use it positively. As much as I hate to say it, I'm with Bruce on this one."
He crosses his arms and sits back in his chair, finished.
"No one is arguing her potential, Hal," Superman says. "Only how best she can realize it."
"Right," Wonder Woman says. "And the best way for her to realize her potential-"
Batman leans forward in his chair. "Is to be left alone. Dick has been training her, and she has blossomed under his teaching."
"No one is denying Dick's skill, nor his influence," Superman says.
"But I don't think you can be objective about this," Wonder Woman says. "He may as well be your son, of course you believe in him."
"And you don't?" he challenges.
She grumbles under her breath. "Yes, I believe in him. But he is still only a boy."
"No," Batman says.
This is something that none of them understand.
"Dick's childhood ended with his parents blood smeared across his face," he says, setting them all back. "He and Raven are alike in that way. She was never a child. She was hardly even human until Dick brought her onto his team."
"We're getting off track," Wonder Woman says. "She needs a safe place where she can learn to control her powers."
"And what do you suggest?" Green Lantern says.
"Paradise Island," Wonder Woman says.
"So she can be indoctrinated to be a man hating, feminazi?" Lantern says. "No thanks."
Batman smirks, earning a deep scowl from Wonder Woman.
"I've been watching her," Batman says, knowing it will earn him a talking to about spying. "I brought her with me to study her. I watched her react in times of great crisis. She is dangerous, but for now, she is stable, and her control is growing stronger. She is on the right path."
The Martian Manhunter; AKA, J'onn j'onzz, finally sits forward to offer his opinion. "A change in her environment and a change in her influence and support structure could be disastrous. I am inclined to agree with Batman."
J'onn is the last survivor of his planet. He came to Earth, and his shape shifting abilities made it easy for him to blend in. He studied earth-culture and became a detective. A threat to the world brought him out of hiding as a super hero, and he became a founder member of the Justice League. Despite his humble attitude, he is one of the most powerful beings on the planet, possessing immense telepathic abilities.
"It's three against two," Green Lantern says.
"Four against one," Superman says. "Sorry, Dianna, but they're right. Staying with the Titans is the best thing for her."
She shoves off the table, standing up, then glares down at Batman.
"Very well," she says through clenched teeth. "I hope we don't wind up regretting this."
(******)
Raven
She exits the bathroom wearing white a towel around her torso and one around her hair. Her dirty clothes are gone from the floor, and she spots things on the foot of her bed; neatly folded clothes and a package of underwear fresh from the store.
Unbelievable.
She inspects the clothes; a simple cream-pink shirt, and a gray pair of fleece sweatpants. Very simple, modest, nice. She approves.
A few minutes later, her hair is all dry, soft and shiny, and she is dressed.
Oh, yeah.
She feels human again, somewhat restored, and the clothes- the softest shirt and pants she's ever touched, let alone worn. She is definitely keeping them when she leaves for Jump City.
She checks herself in the bathroom mirror, smelling the wonderful soap that they had waiting in the shower. She is definitely going to pack that soap as well. She smirks to herself, feeling like one of those people that takes the bathrobes from hotel rooms.
A knock on the door breaks her out of her thoughts.
She crosses the room and opens the door to find Alfred standing on the other side.
"Breakfast awaits you," he says.
She nods and steps out of the room, then waits for him to lead her through the halls.
"Lunch will be served in the east wing parlor," he says.
A few minutes later, she enters a wide open room with fancy seating nearly everywhere. Giant windows line two of the walls, giving an amazing view of the mountains in the distance to the east, and the valley to the north. She stands admiring the view.
"The sun rises are quite beautiful from here," Robin says from behind her, almost making her jump.
How had she not noticed him? How does he sneak up on her like that?
She nods. "More beautiful than over the ocean from Titans Tower?"
"Almost," he says.
She finally tears her eyes away from the view to see Robin standing casually, wearing his mask, a red hoody and black sweats.
"Nice shirt," he says. "Pink looks good on you."
She nods stiffly. "Thanks."
Alfred clears his throat, then leads them to a small glass table near the window. They both sit on opposite sides of the table, each looking out the window.
"What's for breakfast, Alfred?" Robin says.
Alfred pushes a serving cart full of wonderful smelling foods.
"Eggs Benedict," Robin says.
He smirks wide.
Alfred smiles back. "I remember how much you love it."
He sets plates down in front of them, then silverware.
"Aren't you joining us, Alfred?" Robin says.
"Unfortunately," he says. "I have already eaten, and I have other duties."
Robin scowls at him.
"Alright," he says. "But before I leave, we have to have at least one meal together."
Alfred nods.
"I would like that very much," he says, then turns to Raven. "Miss Raven, good day."
With that, he strides away, leaving them alone in the vast parlor.
Robin hops up, grabbing his plate and going over to the cart to fill it.
Raven follows suit.
English muffins, poached eggs, thin sliced ham, and hollandaise sauce never, ever tasted so good.
They eat in a comfortable silence, each enjoying the food, the atmosphere and the company.
After eating, they clear the table, putting the dishes on the cart. Then Robin heads to a long, comfortable looking sofa. He plops down with a satisfied sigh.
She follows suit, sitting a small distance from him. She sighs happily, finding the couch very, very comfortable.
"So," he says.
"So," she says.
He let's out a slow breath. "Rough night, huh?"
She nods, holding in a smirk.
"Yeah," she monotones.
Then they both go silent for a time.
She pulls her feet up onto the couch, shifting to get more comfortable. She breathes deeply, her body relaxing. The last few nights have been hard on her, but last night was one of the worst of her life, but right now, she is just so thankful to have Robin back safe and sound that the worries from the night before seem life times away.
A thought occurs to her. She isn't sure she should ask. She wants to, but she doesn't want to put him on the spot. She bites her lip, thinking.
"What is it?" he says.
"Uh... it's nothing."
"Come on, spit it out."
She grumbles. "Why are you wearing the mask?"
His hand reaches up to his face and he winces.
"I mean," she says. "It's not a big deal or anything."
She starts feeling very awkward, and she wishes she had her cowl to hide her face.
"It's just that you've told me who you are," she says, trying to dig herself out of the awkward hole that she dug. "I already know everything, so why hide behind the mask now?"
He shrugs. "Habit."
Working his fingers quickly, he pulls the mask away from his face.
She had seen his mental projection of himself, so she knew what to expect, but his self projection had done no justice to his crystal-blue eyes.
My word, they are piercing!
Try as she might to look away, she can't. Her cheeks start feel so hot, and she curses not having her cowl.
This is why you don't go around in normal clothes!
She keeps her expression even, showing none of the discomfort she feels.
What is the matter with you, Raven?
He looks away from her, and she lets out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. She looks away too, eying the ceiling.
"Raven?" he says.
"Hmm?" she says.
"Are you okay?"
She turns to face him, his face serious, but light.
"What do you mean?" she says.
"I saw what Harley was doing to you." All his muscles go tense. "I heard you screaming."
His concern touches her. She nods a stiff yes.
"I'm fine now," she says.
He studies her with his blue eyes, then nods.
"Good," he says.
She nods, and he looks away. They both go silent again.
Raven breathes deeply, steadily, and snuggles into the cushion, her head leaning against the back rest.
Life is good right now.
"We should probably head to our rooms," he says, breaking her out of her thoughts.
Her eyes pop open and she blinks, not remembering when she'd closed her eyes. Time starts to blur.
"Right," she says dreamily.
She struggles to keep her eyes open, but can't; sleep claiming her almost immediately.
(******)
Robin
"Deja vu," he whispers.
He smirks to himself as Raven snores ever softly on the couch. He pulls his feet up onto the couch and lays down flat, his feet almost touching hers. He stares up at the ceiling, more thankful than he's been in a long time.
His eyes get heavy, he lets them fall of their own will. His last thought before sleep claims him is an image of Raven's peaceful, snoring face.
(******)
An alarm rings out, jolting Robin awake. He sits up quickly, pain exploding through his sore and bruised body. A vibration draws his attention to his pocket. Late afternoon light shines through the windows.
Raven looks over at him, a worried but calm expression on her face. He knows that she's thinking the same thing he's thinking:
Oh, please, not again.
He pulls his comm from his pocket, putting his mask on and painting on a calm expression.
"This is Robin," he says.
"Joker's making a move," Batman's voice growls through the comm. "Come to the cave. Now."
(******)
"You need to hear this," Batman says.
Alfred, Robin and Raven stand in the cave near Batman's chair.
Surprisingly, Robin and Raven actually slept for a good while- the whole morning and most the afternoon away.
Batman types away on his computer.
"This came in about seven minutes ago," he says.
"Good evening, Gotham City," Joker's cheery, eery voice croaks through speakers in the cave, echoing off the walls. "Tonight, one of Gotham's favored sons shall die."
"What is this?" Raven says.
"He hijacked the radio station," Robin says. "He's marking a target."
Batman nods.
The Joker laughs. "All of Gotham shall grieve... Bruce Wayne, tonight is your night."
Something clicks, and the cave goes silent again.
"Bruce Wayne?" Raven says, looking at Batman. "You're the target?"
"Unreal," Robin says.
Batman types away at the computer, bringing up an image of a lavishly decorated, rooftop ballroom.
"The Loeb Gala?" Robin says.
Batman nods. "Bruce Wayne has been scheduled to attend the gala for months."
"Do you think killing Bruce Wayne is what the Joker is really after?" Robin says.
"I wouldn't count on it," Batman says. "With the Joker, it's rarely that simple."
(******)
Raven
"So, what do we do?" she says.
"We go to the gala," Robin says. "Draw the Joker out."
Batman nods.
"Precisely," he says. "Alfred?"
"Yes, master Bruce?" Alfred says.
"Can you get Dick an invitation for the gala?"
"Already done, master."
"Good," Batman says.
"Am I to assume that miss Raven is to be his plus-one?" Alfred says.
Wait, what? she thinks.
Batman nods a yes. "She'll need a dress."
A dress for what? she thinks.
"Right away," Alfred says.
Now, it dawns on her.
She's going to a gala.
Her eyes pop open wide.
With Robin!
Author's Note
Kind of a slow chapter, I know. Sorry. I hope so much that you liked it.
Thank you Chinaluv for the review! Thanks so much.
Thank you Psychic Soul for the review! I am honored that such an awesome writer is enjoying my story. Yeah, it is about time they were reunited, huh? lol. Thanks so much :)
Thank You Limitless Darkness for the review! I'm so glad you liked how I incorporated Starfire. I was afraid people wouldn't like it, so thanks so much!
Thank you Brizee for the favorite.
Thank you Chinaluv and Brizee for the follows.
And thank you everyone who's reading, whether you review, favorite, follow, or whether you have no account. I want to thank you for reading my story so far. You are awesome!
Well, that's it for Part Twelve. Please leave me a review and let me hear your thoughts.
Until next time. Hope life finds you all so well.
mojo