AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and put me on their favorites listings. Sorry it took so long to continue - I have this thought out, it just takes a bit of motivation to get there. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

When Raven Sacrifices For Others' Happiness
(Takes place shortly after Trouble in Tokyo)

"This is ridiculous," Raven sighed, throwing tombs of literature over her shoulders. Her room, starting at seven AM that morning, had been clean, tidy. Now by noon, it was in shambles, all resulting from one irritated Empath and her hunt for something to occupy her time. Something to do on the early afternoon of a dead weekday. Something to keep her from jumping with repressed energy. Something to occupy her body, her hands, everything.

And her mind. She needed something to keep her mind off…things.

"I've read this one," she muttered, tossing another book. It landed in the heap behind her, her bookshelves just about empty directly in front. They looked barren. She had never seen them look so hollow before. "And this." It too flew to the rear along with its friends.

Pretty soon her room would be nothing of the neatness she was used to; it would be almost as bad as beast Boy's room. Except instead of fungus attacking her at night, it would be the sheer weight of all her books crushing her at not being put away properly.

"I need tea," she muttered, hands clenching at her sides in frustration. Without her father's influence tainting her emotions with malice, nor the constant drive to leash her feelings, she swirled with ire. But her powers didn't stir. They were still tightly tied to her emotions but instead of a easy trigger, her mind was able to decide when they would be released and when they could not. It was a small benefit since Trigon's death. But it didn't make it easier, living with the emotions that racked her now.

She had stumbled upon the switch that would her powers react to her emotions right after Tokyo. Right after… She shook herself, glancing about the room depressed at her actions. At her anxious, nervous energy to do something. She felt irritation at herself grow and made up her mind, a dark emotion clouding her vision. Breathing deeply, harnessing whatever ugly bubble was crawling up her throat, she stepped through her metal port hole, making her way noisy to the kitchen for the dark beauty was stomping her feet as she went.

She wanted tea. And she would get tea.

Once in the kitchen area, her ire turned to aggravation. Directly in the emerald sectional sofa were Robin and Starfire, cuddled close under the bright afternoon sun, the movie they were watching muted. It looked like a sick romantic movie that would have Raven running for the hills as soon as it was featured.

How could they watch that garbage? Real life wasn't like that. It wasn't cute cuddly kittens, sugary sweet lollipops and brightly lit heart shaped clouds. It was harsh, real, and mundane. Nothing like the movies. Raven knew that from firsthand experience. As did many of the Titans.

The two lovers didn't realize they weren't alone as Raven began prepping her tea. They rubbed noses, smiled shyly, holding hands smartly as they whispered words too soft for Raven's ears. Like she wanted to hear. Then Star giggled and she saw her place her head of bright fire red locks on to Robin's shoulders and something snapped inside Raven. She threw the teapot down on to the stove, the tea bags were shoved on to the counter and the tea mug dropped improperly on to the kitchen bar. It shattered into a million tiny pieces and Raven slammed her hands on to them, aggravation giving way to complete anger.

Now there was no way for her to escape. And she had a mess to clean up.

"Raven, you okay?" Robin called back. The two lovers had separated and looked at her in concern. She wished he had been wearing his mask so she wouldn't have to look into his deep blue eyes that wavered in worry. She wished he and Star weren't dressed in their everyday civilian clothes. She wished they didn't look so perfect together. She wished they would just leave her alone.

"Fine," she deadpanned when she really wanted to rage out at them. At least her pride and self control were still intact at times. Not as often as she'd like. Sometimes she almost wept to have the barriers on her emotions; they were too hard to handle and she was too new with experiencing them. She picked her hands up from the bar and saw that they were cut from the shattered mug. Bits of ceramics dug deep into her skin and the sting was a relief. It kept her mind off thinking. Off everything…

"Let us help you," Star offered, standing beside Robin. It hurt to see her tall, lean and slender curves lighted by the blazing sun. She looked like a goddess in her normal light washed jeans and white t-shirt. It was so casual, so comfortable but she wore it like it was a Vera Wang gown. Raven wished suddenly for her cape.

Instead she wore black jeans and a royal blue t-shirt, feet bare, toes still painted black from her trip to the mall two weeks ago and hair hanging deftly around her neck. It had grown recently and she couldn't find the urge to cut it anymore. She wanted to give longer hair a try it seemed, though why she didn't quite understand.

"I'm fine," she bit out, grabbing the counter to stop from yelling. Without the influence of her father ever present in her mind, she was more prone to slips in control. More prone to showing too much. She hated showing too much. "I'll get it." She moved to the sink, rinsing her hands under the cool water when another pair of hands caught them quietly. They splashed cold liquid all over the sink guards.

Robin's pale, slightly sun kissed hands. Calloused, scarred and marred, unlike her cool, long graceful hands. They rubbed her wrist as he cleaned the bits off and she bit back a curse, trying instead to pull her gray hands from his so humanly palms. It didn't look right.

Of course it didn't. Robin was not meant to be touching a demon's hands comfortingly. He was meant for the princess of a flourishing world. Not a child of sin.

"You cut yourself," he mumbled, picking at the piece embedded into her frail skin from the hands he refused to let go. She jerked when he pulled a piece out. Raven barely noticed Star outside of her peripherals. All she saw was Robin looking down at her, his jet black locks styled upon his head, blue eyes oceans of concern. "Here," he pulled their joined hands back under the faucet, washing the quickly drying blood away.

Raven could feel through their link his worry but it was only dwarf by his want. He wanted something profoundly and it made Raven stop breathing. What could he want that passionately, that insanely that even concern for a friend was being squashed?

Then she glanced over his shoulder, to where Star continued to stand, hand to her lip, watching as Robin took care of her best friend. Of course. Raven had ruined a moment. She had walked right into something she shouldn't have.

Yanking away, feeling anger, embarrassment and shame all over her body, making her nerves stand on edge, she stepped away from Robin. She could still smell his light aftershave and clean cotton scent. It only made her madder at herself. And at ruining the moment; something for Star. For Robin. She shouldn't have left her room. If she had, she should have at least used her soul self to look for the others, she could have avoided the scene. Avoided them.

Avoid the emotions. They were suffocating to her uncensored shields and all she could think of was running. She wasn't wanted in this room. Robin wanted to be with Star. Just Star. She could feel it in her mind. It was pounding at her, drowning her in rage, embarrassment and guilt. And sadness. She felt the urge to cry but held back. Raven had never cried in her life.

Tears were pointless. The monks had said as much in their teachings. No one was going to help when she had fallen. Then briefly she thought of Robin saving her, and she knew the monks had lied. People would help her. But right now she didn't want help or pity. She wanted to be left alone. She wanted to run, flee from the immense pressure of feelings all over her body; hide because she wasn't wanted here.

Robin wanted Star. It was evident through their link. She ached inside feeling that.

Apparently her feelings had been misdiagnosed when she talked to Star months ago. The feelings had only grown, festered beneath the skin. It couldn't be infatuation, now turning to endearment. It couldn't be. Something else was wrong. Star had been right. Star was always right.

Raven couldn't have been falling in love with Robin, her best friend's boyfriend.

"Rae, what's going on?" His voice was gentle. Too gentle. He shouldn't have cared so much. She was only a friend, only a half demon. Only a teammate. Why did her stomach twist as he smiled? Why did her heart flutter?

Robin was Star's, she had to remember. She locked down on the bubble in her throat, fending off all the conflicting emotions. Emotionless. Cold. Ice. She had to remain impassive. Why was it so hard to do this? Before it had been so much easier to remain aloof, detached. She suddenly wished for the control. She wished to be free of feeling!

"I need to go." She turned on her heel, too shaken and too dejected to teleport to her chambers. She moved with lightening fast speed until an arm grabbed her shoulder. She made it to the stairs before Robin had run after her. He was quicker. He would always be quicker. She should have teleported away.

"What's up? You've been acting strange for awhile now." She ripped her shoulder away, filling her eyes with white as incredible power came to her fingertips as anger rose like black tar into her mouth. She was angry - not at herself but at him. At making her feel like this, making her want him like he wanted Star. It was his fault that she hurt, and wanted, and dreamt for him. It was his fault, with his endless kindness, understanding and support that the emotion had grown in her heart for him. His fault.

Her eyes shined white and she felt the power surround her. It was strong, it was ancient and suffocating. It terrified her. She bit back the engulfing sensation, the power burrowing deep down, into her gut and away from her use.

Her heart was racing as panic set in. That was new. Her powers had always been strong but those were more powerful than anything she ever encountered. Deeper, stronger, forceful. They paled in comparison to even the powers Malchior had wheeled with her. It scared her and she stepped away from Robin unsure of herself. Unsure of her ability to control herself, control her powers.

That hadn't been Trigon. Raven had done that. Strong emotions still could take control of her emotions. And the switch had been the grief at losing Robin to Star. Now that she had been confronted with it again, her powers reacted harshly. She would have to figure out her limits now that her control was faulty at best when she was confronted with this situation.

What was wrong with her? Was she losing it? Looking at her friends, she shook her head. "I'm not feeling good. Don't follow." And in a blink of an eye she turned into the bird she was named for, speeding toward the ceiling. Away from prying eyes and concerned friends. Away from adoration, love and want not meant for her. Never meant for her.

"What is plaguing Raven?" Star asked, coming to stand by her boyfriend's side. It made her warm inside knowing that finally, after years of crushes, fights and admissions, Robin was really and truly her boy.

It hadn't taken long after Tokyo for the changes to occur. And it delighted her when he smiled at her, his arm snaking around her back in comfort. He was worried and confused by Raven's behavior. They both were. But he still kissed her forehead soundly, tightening his arm about her waist.

"I'm not sure Star. We should find out."

Star shook her head, locks dancing behind her. They tickled Robin's bare arm. "She said not to follow. I believe she needs time alone."

The arm only tightened more. He wasn't pleased with what she said. "Raven alone during a time in need never bodes well for her. She needs help."

He glanced to the ceiling, the urge to go after her warring on his face. Star watched, transfixed and felt a twinge of jealousy of what he was feeling. Their bond. He was getting her emotions directly put into his mind and knew she was hurting. He would always know Raven differently than Star. "Is it the bond that compels you to go after her?"

His blue eyes snapped to her lime ones; he looked shocked. The bond wasn't so easily talked about between them. He didn't even know Star knew of their closeness.

It was always hard for Robin to describe the bond to anyone. It was a link, an impression between them. It was how he knew she was still alive after Trigon had been brought into their world. It was how he knew now she needed someone. She needed a friend and inside Robin knew she needed him. She would never say it out loud, she would never even think it should he hear, but Raven depended on him the most. She depended on their bond the most to center her during her tidal waves of challenges. Especially now with all the recent changes taking place within her, the team and the Titans everywhere.

And lately, her changes since Tokyo had been taking a toll on her. Crime was uneventful, leaving the Titans with more free time. And he knew it did nothing for the young woman except make her think more and more. He thought the time off would be good for them. It would give her a stepping stone of understanding her new role in life, her new purposes, her new control and emotions. But it seemed it was only hurting her. He had to go to her make sure she was alright.

Star yanked on his arm. "She wishes for privacy. We will not disturb her."

He wanted to argue. Protest. Shake off his girlfriend and go after the only other person to know him mentally, as well as emotionally. She had been inside his mind; he didn't take that too lightly. Raven was his closest friend, his confident. It was she he looked for late at night when the nightmares she experienced took them both in the night. It was she who would offer a comforting presence when battles would take a toll on him.

Now she needed him, and he was torn between his girlfriend and his best friend.

The metal door opened in front of them, Cyborg walking into the living area, wiping a greasy rag over his dirty digits. A metal contraption was under his arm. One glance at them made him stop dead. "What happened?"

"Raven is not feeling well."

Cy raised an eyebrow. "You noticed too huh?"

It was common knowledge the young woman was more hostile, easily ticked off or annoyed. They didn't know if it was a response to the barriers broken from Trigon's release or something else deeper that she wasn't saying. Cyborg had a clue, but he didn't know exactly what.

"I'm going after her." Robin said, breaking free from Star, heading toward the door. She needed him. Cy's hand on his arm stopped him.

"No. I will." He tossed the piece of metal at Robin who caught it easily. "She might need a friend who can listen." As soon as he said it, Robin's eyes darkened.

"I can listen."

"I do it better." He smiled arrogantly. He knew Robin and Rae had a special bond, but if Cy had any clue why Raven was so upset lately, having Robin go wasn't a good idea. And he was about 99% sure he knew what was going on.

"Listen, Cy," Robin began but Cyborg was already waving his hand behind him. He wouldn't listen to his "I'm the leader" crap speech. This was something Cy would have to handle. Robin going… wouldn't work out so well.

"I got it. Go back to being cute," he called back and the metal doors shut. Taking extra precaution he sealed the door with a security lock – they used three and Robin only knew two of them – before heading toward the roof. If he knew Raven, she was floating above the tiles, trying to find her center of calm.

"I don't need a pep talk Cyborg," Raven droned from her perch on the edge of the Tower's roof. Instead of her lotus position, her long curved jean clad legs dangling over the side, hands folded neatly in her lap. The slight wind tickled at her face as the sun overhead began to descend. She almost looked ready to jump.

"Good. Because I'm not here for one." Cy said smartly, hunkering down beside her. His large metallic body engulfed her smaller one. Their shadows merged and became a giant mass of black on the cement top. She looked so young, so tiny in the late afternoon sun sitting next to him.

This wasn't the Raven he knew. The Raven he knew was hard headed, stubborn, a fighter. A survivor. This young woman was delicate, fragile, and pensive. Hesitant. Cy leaned closer, nudging her with his shoulder, smiling down at her brightly. She blinked once.

"Then why are you here?"

"Oh you know, catch up. Talk about weather. Politics. The Steelers winning another Super bowl ring.*"

She snorted. "Unlikely." Then her legs were pulled up to her chest, her long lean arms surrounding them. Her cheek rested against the top of her sharp knee and when her rivers of violet stared at Cy, he felt his heart break. She looked lost and completely afraid. He hated seeing on that on his 'sister'.

She was the only one out of all the Titans – honorary too – who he considered family. Both were given crap deals in life, both were halves of something whole. He understood that. And she needed a big brother right now. He could just tell.

Wrapping a metallic arm around her shoulders, he rubbed her thin back gently. She felt tiny; his whole hand just about covered her back. Had she even been eating? He'd have to make her some waffles later. "What's wrong Rae? You can tell me."

"Why do you assume something is wrong?" She asked indignantly. Cy rolled his human eye skyward, unable to stop from smiling. When she got silent, he looked back down and saw that she was lost in thought. Something was bugging her. Something big. She only ever thought about something when it didn't make sense to her, if she didn't understand something. That's just how she was. And Cy had to know if he was right about why.

He had an inkling but…

"This is about Robin isn't it?"

"What?" Her head whipped to look at him. "How do you…?" Was she that transparent? Would Star know? She wanted to believe her friend had been right about what she was feeling inside. She prayed Star was right; Star knew emotions better than anybody else. Star had to be right.

But she knew deep down she wasn't correct in her assumption. That it was more than just gratitude. It was deeper. Warmer. Hotter. And it burned her stomach when she thought on it long and hurt her heart when she ignored it.

"It's not hard to see Rae, if you're looking." He shrugged innocently. And he had been looking. He was always watching her. She was the strongest of them but also the easiest to hurt; and though she wasn't blood, she was family. "You've been acting weird ever since Tokyo." And like a slap to her pale face, she winced. "Your emotions have been on lock down your whole life and now aren't. That could be a reason for your testiness, but I know you. I see it all over your face." A finger went to her cheek without thinking. "I can see it in your eyes."

He pulled her closer, feeling her shake with unease. She hated being known even by friends. Raven liked being someone no one could pinpoint and now that Cy had stated the obvious, that she was known and cared for so deeply, it scared her. Everything just about scared her these days.

She was a different woman now. She was a feeling person, free to be her now. And it terrified her. It frightened her knowing how she could be. Who she could be. How she could feel. And it made everything click as soon as she looked away from him, still letting his arm stay around her oddly enough. Realization dawned.

He wanted to laugh and cry. Raven of the Teen Titans was in love with their leader Robin. He wanted to laugh at the irony of it and weep for her circumstances. Because Robin was head over heels in love with Star. And Star had been in love with Robin since she crashed to Earth. He almost felt a tug of his protectiveness of the girl to his side peak through; he wanted to yell at Robin and Star but what good would that do?

He had even said "About time," when they had kissed after the battle across the sea. And he meant it. But it was after they kissed, after they got back on the T ship to head home, and they cuddled close before falling into an exhausted sleep he noticed her. Her eyes were watery pools of sadness; her lips were clenched against making a noise. They had been the only ones awake – BB had been passed out cold in the back – but he remembered.

Raven was heartbroken. Completely, utterly destroyed by Rob and Star's relationship. He didn't really believe it back on the ship, but with her constant spats, her ire and loss of control not of powers but of her own actions, it was hard not to come back to his original theory. Raven was in love and it was killing her from not being able to express it, or have it reciprocated.

"What do I do Victor?" Raven asked, her normal deadpan turning high pitched in worry. She was worried what Star would think if she found out her true emotions. What Robin would do if he ever found out. "I can't continue being like this." She sighed, rubbing her nose. "It hurts to feel this way. It hurts seeing my two closest friends together. It hurts knowing what Robin feels from our bond." Her head dropped her to knees again, thoughts and feelings turning dark. "I can't stop it."

"You can't stop emotions Rae," Cyborg agreed, pulling her closer. She cuddled up to his side, her head resting on his chest. He smiled so softly, pleased she was finally coming around. "But you also have to make a choice. Fight for what you want, or sacrifice for those you love. And once you decide, you can begin making a plan." Because that was how Raven worked. She liked having a plan, a logical take on anything. And helping her look at it like a list was better than just giving her advice she didn't need to hear.

What advice could he offer anyway? He was the close personal friend. He wanted her happy, but he wanted Star and Rob happy. He knew all of this wouldn't work out in the end, but he was still willing to be there every step of the way.

Letting her to her thoughts for a bit, Cy pulled away to look down at her. She still looked so tiny, so much younger than her wise nineteen years that it was heart shattering. She was so unsure, on uneven footing in this that Cy couldn't help the swell of pity. She didn't know emotions. She didn't know how to fight for someone. How to love. How to cry even. And it was earth quaking real.

Life wasn't easy for Raven. He wished she could have the happy ending in the romance movies that Star and BB always watched. She deserved it.

"So?" his voice was a soft rumble, kind and compassionate.

Raven sighed. "I know what I must do in this situation." She leaned away, glancing up at him. The smile was hesitant, untested and sweet. Cy grinned right back. It made his heart swell as her openness. "I appreciate what you've done for me. But this is something I have to do alone."

He nodded, completely understanding her need for privacy and to be alone in it. She earned that right in the Tower if she was able to keep BB out of her room as long as she had. But as she stood, he gripped her hand in his metallic one, the shiny blue gleaming in the dying sun against her smooth gray skin. Two halves, he snorted lightly.

Robin might have had the bond with her, he might have a connection, a mental link that alerted them both to the others feelings and whereabouts but there was no way he could ever understand the workings of a Halfling like Cyborg could. Half man, half machine. He looked up at Rae. Half demon, have woman. He got it. He got the pull. The self hatred at times. The complete lack of understanding yourself, yet getting it at the same time. Cy knew all about it.

"You know you're not alone right? You might think at times you are, and whatever path you choose will be hard to live with. But I'm behind you. And I'm here. If you want to chat," he smiled good naturally, tongue in cheek. She smirked kindly, rolling her eyes as the hands parted. He felt her squeeze just before she pulled away.

Just enough of a comfort that she understood Cy was there. Just enough to know she got that he cared about her and wanted to help. That they all cared really. But she was an independent young lady, and Cy had to remember that she'd rather fight her own battles than include the others. He just hoped she wouldn't lose herself in this one. Matters of the heart never did end pretty.

"Chat about the Steelers?"

"You know it."

She snorted delicately, and walked to the rooftop door. She glanced back at him, nodded and disappeared through the darkness. Cy sighed, unsure if what lay ahead would be easy to live with in the Tower or if he should jump ship now.

Sitting in her darkened room, the last rays of sun disappearing behind the horizon, Raven closed her eyes and softly sighed. Cyborg had been right – she could either fight for what she wanted, or sacrifice for those she cared for. It would be difficult, but Raven already knew what she had to do.

Star was her best friend. She had loved Robin since the day she crashed and kissed the young boy to learn their language. She deserved to finally have him. Raven nodded once to herself, ignored the pang of hurt in her chest and walked over to her mirror.

Taking a few calming breaths, she knew she would have to speak to this new emotion that had developed and put it away into the recesses of her mind. She would have to lock it away – she already accepted how she felt – but she would keep it hidden. She would not fight for Robin; he was to be loved by Starfire and that was it. She would sacrifice for them both, for them to be happy.

It was then before Raven said her mantra that she realized sometimes people can only be happy when others give up their happiness for those they care about. Demurely Raven chanted, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos." And quickly she was sucked into the deep recesses of her mind, with a clear goal to hide the emotion so that her friends would be happy, and she could begin controlling herself once again.

AN: Well what do we think? Like I said, each one shot in time, telling a story one moment at a time. Any thoughts?

"Oh you know, catch up. Talk about weather. Politics. The Steelers winning another Super bowl ring.": I dated a hardcore Steelers fan about a year ago (I actually have a one-shot plot bunny for Football season in the works) and his attitude reminds me slightly of Cyborg. And since he came from "Steel City"... well put two and two together. In my mind, Cyborg will always be a Steelers fan (we already know he's a huge football fan from his high school career). Just some fun.

Next chapter: Slade returns, a team member is lost, Raven learns the full extent of her powers without her father's influence, Robin and Star bond, Beast Boy matures and Cyborg makes improvements.

Peace