(12/28)

The three sidekicks and Raven cowered behind a makeshift barrier as the laser fire intensified. "Good idea," Kate said to Dick, her tone tense but impressed, "using the mirrors to deflect the lasers."

"Hopefully, I'll have hacked B's system before our fortress falls apart," Dick muttered, his fingers flying over the device in front of him.

Stephanie exhaled loudly, clearly frustrated. "We don't have time for this. Every second we're stuck here is another second Tim doesn't have. We don't even know where he is."

"Tracker?" Kate asked, eyes flicking to Dick.

Dick shook his head. "As long as the Batcave is in defense mode, we won't be able to access the tracking system."

Raven closed her eyes for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I may have a way to locate Tim," she said quietly, uncertain. "But I haven't done it before, so…" The young, mute girl—Raven had yet to learn her name—reached out and gently grasped Raven's hand. Raven glanced at her, and though the girl couldn't speak, Raven understood her unspoken plea. She nodded. "Okay," Raven replied softly. She crossed her legs, sat in a meditative position, and placed her hands on the floor. "Just… don't freak out," she warned the others, "and protect my body." Raven took a long breath, steadying herself, and then exhaled. She repeated the action, centering her focus, before softly chanting. "Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos." Her voice trailed off as her astral form slipped free. She opened all four of her eyes and searched.

Raven's powers expanded over Gotham, stretching across the city's landscape as she fought to keep control over her demonic side. She felt the chaotic swirl of countless minds as she briefly connected to each one. She pushed herself further and harder. Come on, Tim. Where are you? Then she spotted him—a figure slamming his fists against the walls of a building. It was a familiar place, just across from the library she had visited a few weeks ago. Tim, she relaxed just a little. She steered her powers toward him. "Tim," she whispered in his mind, startling the vigilante. She did a quicky, cursory glance of his body. He looked awful. His Red Robin uniform was incomplete, with only a cape, mask, red spandex, and utility belt in place, but missing gloves, boots, and various other accessories. His hair was a mess, his face pale and sweaty, his breathing labored, and his right hand hung limp at his side, clearly broken. "Tim," she repeated gently, her voice reaching into his mind. "I don't know what's going on, but you're hurt. You need to come back to the cave."

"I can't," Tim replied aloud, his stance rigid. "It's the Joker. I have to stop him."

"The Joker is dead," Raven insisted, echoing what Richard told her.

"But I see him everywhere," Tim's voice cracked, his words trembling with exhaustion. "No one else sees him, but I do. He's here. He's alive."

Raven hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Then let me see him… through your eyes."

"What?"

"Let me in, Tim. Let me see what you're seeing."

Tim lowered his head, sinking to his knees, too tired to resist anymore. "Okay," he muttered, "I'll let you in." As soon as his mental defenses dropped, Raven slipped into his mind. Her breath caught in her throat. Holy crap! Tim wasn't just in awful shape—he was dying. She experienced it as if her own body was deteriorating. The pain was sharp and immediate, threatening to overwhelm her.

Focusing herself, Raven pushed past the agony and connected with his psyche. "Look," she said, guiding his gaze as she turned his head from side to side. "There's no one here, Tim. You're alone. There's no—JOKER!" Raven screamed as a dark figure punched her in the jaw, knocking her soul back into her own body. Her eyes snapped open as she found herself back in the Batcave.

"Raven?" Stephanie was at her side in an instant. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"The Joker… he's real," Raven panted. "At least, real to Tim. He's hallucinating, but… Tim's in bad shape. He's dying."

"Victor was supposed to bring medicine," Kate said, her frustration clear. "But the Zeta tube isn't working with the cave in lockdown mode."

"I'm doing my best," Dick called out from where he was working on the system.

Raven sat up, shaking off the disorientation. "I know where Tim is," she said firmly. "I can get to him."

"Then go!" Stephanie urged her.

"We've got this covered," Kate added, glancing at the others. Raven nodded, took a steadying breath, and then disappeared into a portal.

Red Robin's breath came in ragged gasps as he stood, swaying, on the rooftop. His body ached—his shattered hand throbbed with every beat of his heart, and his head was a chaotic storm of fear and fatigue. He'd been fighting for hours, or maybe days. He'd lost track. The Joker's voice echoed in his skull, relentless, mocking him. "You're cracking, kid," the Joker's voice whispered from the shadows. "No one's coming to save you. You're all alone."

I know, Red Robin thought, despair settling into his bones. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep fighting. His vision blurred, and for a brief, desperate moment, he thought he felt Raven's presence. "Raven," he gasped, hope flickering weakly within. "Raven?" He spun around, searching for her, but the rooftop was empty.

"She's not here," came the sickeningly gleeful voice. The Joker materialized out of the darkness, smiling malevolently. "It's just you," he said, swinging the crowbar, "and me." The crowbar cracked against Red Robin's ribs with brutal force, and he staggered, choking on the pain. Before he could catch his breath, the Joker swung again, hitting him squarely in the back. Red Robin collapsed, bracing himself on his hands and knees, his body trembling in pain. "Ha ha ha!" The Joker laughed maniacally as he danced around Red Robin's crumpling form.

It's over, Red Robin thought. I can't do this anymore. The Joker's boot slammed down on his back, forcing him to the ground. Red Robin groaned as his chest hit the cold concrete, every breath a struggle. "Joker…" he moaned, the fight draining out of him. "Stop."

The Joker's grin widened, and Red Robin felt his breath against his ear, a vile, twisted imitation of intimacy. "Ha. Ha. Ha," the Joker whispered, his weight pressing down on Tim's back, suffocating him.

And then… nothing. The weight was gone. The Joker vanished, leaving only the echo of his laughter.

Tim's body went limp, defeated. He felt cold and hopelessly alone. This is it, he thought. Maybe I should just… let go.

"Tim? Tim?"

The voice was soft, familiar—impossibly gentle amidst the chaos. He felt hands touch the back of his neck, grounding him. Warm hands. Real.

"Tim," the calm voice said again, cutting through the fog of his mind. "I'm so sorry about this."

Raven.

He blinked, struggling to focus as her presence enveloped him. Sudden relief flooded his chest. He wasn't alone anymore. "Raven…" he gasped. She was real, and she was here.

Raven couldn't believe she was about to form a bond, but…desperate times and all that. The bond would remain intact only until Tim was fully healed. Placing her hands softly on his head and back, she let her essence flow into him, linking her mind and soul to his. Suddenly, she wasn't just Raven—she was Raven and Tim.

As her healing powers worked, memories from his life flooded her consciousness. His sixth birthday, the excitement of his first computer, the raw grief of losing his parents, his journey with Bruce Wayne, training, becoming Red Robin—getting captured and tortured by the Joker. Raven absorbed it all, her heart aching as she relived his deepest pain, pushing herself to heal both his body and his mind. Feeling his mental and physical wounds close, Raven felt herself separating from him, until finally, she was just Raven again.

She gasped, drawing her powers back into herself. Her eyes had been closed the entire time, and it wasn't until she heard a soft, "Raven? Raven?" that she realized they had opened. In front of her sat a healthy, thoroughly confused, half-dressed Red Robin. He looked around before his gaze settled on her. Without hesitation, he reached for her, pulling her into a tight hug. "He's gone," he gasped into her neck, his voice trembling with a mix of relief and disbelief. "He's gone." Raven, caught off guard, awkwardly patted his back, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "You… you… what did you do?" he asked, pulling back just enough to look at her.

"It's... hard to explain," Raven answered. She reached out, her hands resting on his face as she smoothed his messy hair. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"Better," Red Robin smiled, the weight of the past days lifting from his shoulders. He glanced around before, with a quick motion, pulled his mask off. His eyes met hers, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you," he breathed, resting his forehead gently against hers. "Thank you," he repeated, tears edging his words. "He's gone," he tried to hold back a sob. "He's gone."

Raven's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in his voice. Reciprocating the hug, she whispered, "You never have to thank me for saving your life," she whispered.

Raven didn't know how long they stayed in each other's embrace, but she was exhausted—her body still healing itself from the strain of the bond—and freezing. She wasn't even in uniform. She was wearing a sweatshirt and leggings, and her hair was in a messy ponytail. This is embarrassing.

Tim held her a moment longer, reluctant to let go, and Raven could feel his gratitude in the way he held her. But she was freezing. She glanced at the snow falling around them, pulling her sweatshirt closer. "Are you cold?" she asked, trying to make light of the situation. "Because I'm cold."

"Hm?" Tim blinked before pulling back slightly. "Oh—oh my gosh! You must be freezing!" His gaze darted around, noticing his own missing gear. "Where are my gloves? Wait. Where are my boots?" He crawled to the edge of the roof, peering down. "Well, there's my bike," he said with a small chuckle before turning back to her. "You don't look so good. Did you… absorb my injuries?"

"Yeah," Raven replied, her smile weak but genuine, though she couldn't stop the small shiver that passed through her. Without missing a beat, Tim shrugged off his cape and wrapped it securely around her shoulders. "This should help keep you warm," he breathed, the gesture filled with a tenderness that made Raven's chest tighten. "Looks like we're stuck here for a bit."

Raven let out a small laugh. "Give me a minute. I'll have enough energy to teleport us—and your bike—back to the Batcave."

Tim sighed, a mixture of exhaustion and relief crossing his face. But then his eyes widened in realization. "Oh no—the Batcave! They're trapped, aren't they?"

"They are," Raven nodded, glancing at him with a knowing look. "Bruce's defense systems are a little… excessive."

"Yeah," Tim chuckled, "he likes to be prepared."

He held Raven's gaze, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a flutter through her stomach. Raven turned away before standing on shaky legs, feeling her strength gradually returning. "Okay, I'm good."

"Are you sure?" Tim asked, concern clear in his voice as he followed her, sliding his mask back on.

"The sooner you get back, the sooner you can rest," she replied with a small, tired smile. "You need it."

"For once, I agree," he said with a soft chuckle, relief and gratitude shining through his fatigue.

(1/1 – 12:01 a.m.)

Raven looked out the enormous window as fireworks lit up the sky. She had finally purged all the drugs from her system and found herself staying at Wayne Manor, ushering in the New Year.

Alfred had shown up the day before, frantic and worried after receiving both Lucius and Stephanie's messages. He came immediately, even contacting Bruce, who was on his way back from wherever, though it would still take three weeks for him to reach Earth's orbit. And Tim had slept for over 40 hours straight, waking just minutes before the countdown to New Year's Day.

Now Raven sat contentedly on a window seat, watching the firework show. "Hey," she heard Tim say. She turned to see him standing there, sheepish, holding two giant mugs. Her heart skipped a beat. He looks so adorable. Barefoot, a gray T-shirt, and pajama bottoms that were a little too long but hung low on his hips in a way that made her stomach flutter. Raven felt her face warm and schooled her expression. "That's not coffee, is it?" she asked.

"Uh…no," Tim smiled, handing her a mug. "I've decided to go several days without coffee. This is decaf tea."

"Going without coffee? Are you sure you'll survive?"

"Funny, but, no, I'm not sure." He joined her on the seat, and together they watched the opulent firework display.

Raven glanced at him, captivated by the colors reflecting off his face. "Tim," she spoke hesitantly, drawing his attention. He turned his blue eyes to her, and instantly Raven felt breathless. Has he always been this handsome? "I need to tell you about how I found and healed you. I entered your mind and saw some things."

"Raven," Tim placed his hand gently over hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "It doesn't matter right now. I'm just happy to be here—alive and in my right mind. We'll talk about it later. Okay?"

"Okay," she nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Tim gave her hand a light squeeze. "Happy New Year, Raven."

She looked at him, feeling a rare warmth in her chest. "Happy New Year, Tim." They sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky light up with vibrant colors.