(Here it is - the last chapter of this first story. It has been a long time coming – as I actually wrote the first draft of this story over a year ago. Maybe it would make a better script than a novel – more conversations than anything else. Since this is the last chapter for this first story, I'd really appreciate a final review that considers the entire story posted for this chapter. Thanks for reading, reviewing, and just paying attention to the story – it has helped me continue to write. ~RavensMind~)

Chapter 23: Forever is as Long as it is

When the sun rose, so did the new leaders of the Titans. Terra walked into the living room, yawning, and noticed Cyborg studying a list of potential team members. Sitting on the couch, Terra stretched out. She was relieved that they didn't have to be on alert for insanity anymore. Batman had come to the tower in the night and informed them of the apprehension of the cult of Trigon. Now, they had to deal with the effects of Robin and Raven's departure, and pick some new recruits to fill their places.

"Find a good pick?" Terra asked.

"Nope. I need more information, just not sure where to find it," Cyborg said.

"Try the computer?" Terra suggested.

"I did, but some files require a password that I don't have," he said.

"So, call Robin and ask him what it is," she said.

"I will," he said.

"Just not now?" she asked.

"No, it can wait, I don't need it right now… Beast Boy okay?" he asked.

"How should I know?" she asked.

"Still mad at him?" he asked.

"I….don't know," she said.

"Starfire okay?" he asked.

"I think so. How about we ask them when they come out here instead of guessing?" she suggested.

"We will. Just think we should talk about it before they get in here," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Robin and Raven would. We're the team leaders, we should start acting like it," he said.

"So, should I go and work on my sarcasm while you get obsessive about who Robin's friend put away last night? We don't have to act like them to do this," she said.

"Yeah, that's true," he said.

"Are you going to call, or should I?" she asked.

"You can if you want to, I was just going to give them some time to… wake up," he said.

"I doubt they slept," she said.

"Yeah, me too, which is why I wanted to give them some more time…" he said.

"Oh. Sorry, I don't think I'm even awake yet," she said.

"What's your take on their relationship?" he asked.

"Um…I'm happy for them, I'm glad that Raven found someone she could open up to…I didn't think she would," she said.

"Really? Robin's the one who's lucky, really," he said.

"How?" she asked.

"Well, you said it, he's too obsessed – he needed someone to help him out of that," he said.

"Maybe…Why are we talking about them?" she asked.

"They're our friends, it's big for them, and I didn't get a chance to hear what you thought because you went nuts," he said.

"Oh… I'm gonna go and call them for the password, and ask Robin something…" she said.

"Leave me out of whatever it is you're going to ask him," he said.

"Don't trust me?" Terra asked.

"About this? Nope," Cyborg said.

Climbing out of bed, Starfire rubbed her eyes, grabbed her bathrobe, and made for the bathroom. As she walked down the hall in her robe, she looked down at her bandaged wrist, and felt a pang of agony sound through her body as she touched it. How did she know if what she had thought was her real reaction? Maybe that…thing tricked her, or maybe that thing had been some spell of Raven's. Nothing was resolved, she had just walked away. If she wanted Robin, she should show him…and Raven. Walking into the bathroom, she started getting ready for the day. Taking off the bandage, she noticed that the shape of the wound was odd. It resembled an 'x,' at closer inspection. And as she identified that fact, she heard what sounded like a faint voice in the air say: "Remember, or…it's only strike one…"

Twisting under the sheets, Raven awoke when she brushed up against Robin's leg with her own almost immediately. His arm was wrapped around her chest. She moved her leg again, trying to figure out how she was positioned. Their legs were entwined, so any more movement might wake Robin. Carefully, she reached over and picked up a small mirror that was laying on the stand next to the bed. Looking at herself, she was searching for a sign of the markings – seeing none, she focused on the image itself. Robin was asleep on the pillow behind her; his hair was messy – so was her own. After a few moments, she realized she was staring at him in the mirror and put it down. Raven shifted closer to Robin, trying to curl up against him without waking him. She felt him move his hand along her back and sighed.

"I thought you were asleep," Raven said.

"I was, until you moved," Robin said.

"Sorry," she said.

"Don't be. I wanted to wake up early," he said.

"What for?" she asked.

"So I could lay here with you a little longer," he said.

"That's…sweet… Something you want to say?" she asked.

"Do I have to start this conversation?" he asked.

"No…Shall I?" she asked, freeing her legs from his and turning around to face him.

"If you want to," he said, smiling at her.

"Alright," she said, giving a slight chuckle before moving on, "last night was…everything I hoped it would be, and then some…minus the long conversation beforehand. Not to sound cheesy, but it was fantastic…so are you."

"That's a relief. I was worried that you thought I was tired or something," he said.

"No, you were very…focused and…loving," she said.

"Good. You know, I didn't think it would be that intense," he said.

"Remember what I told you we could do, so everything is more intense? I reached through the bond and did that for us, so, it was more intense," she said.

"Amazing," he said.

"So, it's your turn, I think," she said.

"You were almost too much, where is that energy when we're sparring together?" he asked.

"And was that good, or-?" she started.

"It was great, it made me want to see how long it really lasted, and it kept me wanting more. It was amazing, you're amazing – and I think…we don't have to leave the room for anything today, so…" he said, inching closer to her.

"You know, I have a small problem," she said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure if my tattoo is still there, after last night I'm worried it may have rubbed off…Can you check?" she said coyly.

"Oh, you're just a little…vixen, now, aren't you?" he asked, grinning at her.

Just then, Robin's communicator rang. He looked to Raven and frowned, hoping that she would tell him he didn't have to get up and get it. Raven shook her head, pointed for him to get it, and pulled the sheets up to her chin with her other hand. As he climbed out of bed, she watched him do so, admiring his body, and wished she had told him to ignore it. Robin grabbed his mask and put it on, then picked up the communicator and held it close to his face. Answering it, he saw Terra come into view on the small screen.

"Hey, Terra. How are you doing?" Robin asked.

"Awesome. Hey, we need a password to get some files off of the computer; do you know what it is?" Terra asked.

"Not off the top of my head, I'll have to check my list. Can I get back to you?" Robin asked.

"Cyborg wants to get started on finding some new Titans now, so he…kind of needs it now," Terra said.

As Terra finished speaking, Robin looked to Raven and shrugged, as if to say 'they need it'. She frowned, but grudgingly nodded. He smiled and went into the bathroom with his communicator, careful to not let Terra see Raven or the rest of his body. Grabbing his robe, he slipped it on and started tying it with one hand.

"Wait, you weren't up yet, were you?" Terra asked.

"No," Robin said.

"Sorry. So…was she up?" Terra asked.

"…No," Robin said.

"How are you two doing? And how was she-," Terra started.

"You know I can hang up, right?" Robin asked.

"Okay…Both of you are touchy about that. Still, how are you?" Terra asked.

"We're happy," Robin said.

"I'm glad. And I'm sorry I had to bug you," Terra said.

"We forgive you…Or at least I sort of forgive you, I'm not sure about her," Robin said.

"You must really be good to her," Terra said.

"Did you call me for a password or this?" Robin asked.

"…Both," she said.

"You're ruining my morning," he said, annoyed.

"I thought you forgave me," she said.

"Guess not," he said, heading out of the bathroom.

When Robin walked back into the bedroom, he stopped short and stared at Raven, who was now lying outstretched over the covers on the bed.

"What?" Terra asked, seeing his change of expression.

"N-Nothing…Do you really need the password?" Robin asked.

"Yeah," Terra said.

Raven gave a small, wicked smile and gestured for him to hang up.

"I'll be right back, I promise," Robin said to Raven.

At that, Raven frowned and twisted into a more alluring pose.

"You're evil, you know that?" he said.

"Do I look evil?" she asked.

"No, you look…Don't move," he said, practically rushing out of the room with his hand over the screen of the communicator. When he closed the door behind him, he looked back to the communicator, and moved his hand from the screen.

"What was that about?" Terra asked, curious.

"None of your business, she's just…perfect," Robin said.

"And evil?" she asked, confused.

"Right now? Very," he said, taking the communicator and heading for the bat cave to get the list of passwords he had entrusted to Batman.

With Robin out of the room, Raven didn't have anything to keep her busy, so she felt like meditating. He would be back soon, she thought, so there was no need to climb back into bed. Memorizing the way she had posed for Robin, she then sat up and crossed her legs. As she closed her eyes and began her mantra, she began to feel like there was someone else in the room.

"Pleased with your choice?" Wraih's voice resounded in Raven's head.

"Yes, I love him. What do you want?" Raven asked.

"Your father has been repelled from this world once more. Yet, it is not enough," Wraih said.

"What do you mean?" Raven asked.

"There is much that you need to learn in order to prepare for the years to come," Wraih said.

"Why?" Raven asked.

"You know it already. I wish I could tell you that this is the end, but it is not so - as your father will attempt to conquer this world until the last inch of him has been banished into nothingness. Something such as this will happen again so you need to be capable of combating and escaping it," Wraih said.

"So, where do I start?" Raven asked.

"Read the books I gave you, learn all that you can, and I will be ensuring that you do so," Wraih said.

"Tell me; who are you?" Raven asked.

"Oh, you know, you just do not remember. Think. Who else would take such an interest, besides your mother? Someone she trusted. Someone she believed could save you," Wraih said.

"...You're supposed to be dead," Raven said, surprised.

"Am I? It was not Trigon's intention to end me, merely to harness what measure of influence I had over you at the time and turn me into something that could threaten you," Wraih said.

"If I knew it was you, Azar, it would've been easier for us to trust you. Why didn't you tell me before?" Raven asked.

"I wanted to see how you had changed, if you had at all, and what you would do. You did not disappoint. Now, we can pick up where we left off," Wraih said.

"I'm not sure if I remember where we were. And why did you take me in and teach me?" Raven said.

"Because you were the key to our victory against Trigon. You are his tool, his weapon, and you provide the only hope of destroying him once and for all. We will discover what remaining hidden power you have and perhaps finally - end the lasting threat of the greatest tyranny. Perhaps you were expecting me to surprise you, but there is no hidden agenda - there is only you, I, and now, Robin," Wraih explained.

"Will he have to learn the spells too?" Raven asked.

"That isn't clear at the moment, but we shall see," Wraih said.

"Where will you be, if we need you?" Raven asked.

"The crypt. I shall be checking in every now and then as well. You also will learn how to communicate with me like this, without requiring a bond," Wraih said.

"That sounds interesting. Thank you again, for everything you've done for me," Raven said.

"Do not thank me, I will do what I must to protect this world, and it may not always be for your benefit or desires, or his. Be wary of your old 'friends,' not all of them will tolerate this change for long..." Wraih said.

As Wraih's voice left Raven's head, Raven felt alone once more. Absorbing what Wraih had said, well what Azar had said, Raven laid back down and stared at the ceiling. If Beast Boy, Terra, Cyborg, or Starfire were a threat...it wouldn't be easy to convince Robin that they were. She wasn't entirely convinced, either. The only one who objected to their relationship was Starfire, as far as she knew. Robin had said that he handled it, maybe just not as well as he should have. Why did this have to happen so often? Why couldn't she be happy for five damn minutes? She knew better than most why it had to be this way; the future had more dark than light. The present was merely a shadow of the looming tragedies. For the longest time, she believed that nothing would make that future seem lighter. Then she met the Titans, they pushed her father back, so she could safely feel without worry, and Robin made it clear that she would never be alone. Maybe things wouldn't always be so terrible, after all. 'No, you idiot, they just find a new way to hurt,' she thought. 'At least now, someone will try and convince you otherwise,' she thought, thinking of Robin. Almost on cue, she heard the door open, and Robin entered, closing the door behind him. Twisting back into her pose, she then smiled at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"Well?" Raven asked.

"I almost hung up on her right when I found the list. She wouldn't stop asking me about 'how you were last night'," Robin said.

"Thanks for telling her to shut up," Raven said.

"It wasn't exactly hard," he said.

"At least she isn't-," she started.

"And she just didn't get the hint," he said.

"Well, you handled it-," she began again.

"Why did she need that now?" he asked.

"Yeah...if I was a guy and my horny girlfriend was posing naked on my bed, I'd ignore her to whine to her about idiots, too," she said, sarcastically.

"She sounds lucky...Oh, did you want me to move over there?" he teased.

"Shut up and get over here," she said.

"That's not an answer," he teased.

"Fine, then I'll start without you..." she said, grinning.

"Shut up. Let me put this back," he said, indicating the robe he was wearing, "and I'll be right there."

Crossing to the bathroom, Robin took off his robe and hung it by the shower. He stopped and took off his mask, placed it on the counter, and then walked from the bathroom over to the bed. Watching Raven follow his movements with her eyes, he climbed on the bed, crawled over next to her and kissed her. As he put his arm around her, he heard a knock at the door.

"Master Grayson?" came Alfred's voice from the other side of the door.

At that, Raven drew back and raised her eyebrows at Robin, as if to say 'so that's your name.'

"What is it Alfred?" Robin asked.

"It's almost time for breakfast, Master Wayne was wondering when you and Miss Roth would be joining him," Alfred said.

"We'll be down in half an hour," Robin said.

"Very well, shall I tell Miss Roth to be ready?" Alfred asked.

"No, I'll do it, Alfred," Robin said.

"Alright. It's good you found someone, Dick, she seems like a sweet girl, it would be nice if Bruce could find someone too," Alfred said.

Raven smiled at Robin as Alfred finished speaking.

"I know," Robin said.

"...I'll go and tell Master Wayne you'll be down shortly, then," Alfred said, walking away from the door.

As soon as they were sure Alfred was gone, Robin started to lean in to kiss Raven, but she shook her head.

"What?" Robin asked.

"You know you're not getting out of this that easily," Raven said.

"Fine...so, now you know," he said.

"Yes, but you somehow already knew my full name," she said.

"I heard you think it while I was introducing you to Alfred," he said.

"You could have said something, or told me yours to make us even," she said.

"When? We weren't alone together for very long when we first got here," he said.

"Ok, you're right...but I notice something. I know your name and...we're both still here. I still love you, Robin. And I can love Dick Grayson just as much. And I don't want to be anywhere else," she said.

"Thanks. That...I really needed to hear that. I love you, Raven. And I'll love Rachel Roth if...you want me to," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You said Trigon used that name for you when he had control of you, so I think you hate it, don't you?" he asked.

"I do...but maybe it doesn't have to mean what it does now. You could give it a new meaning for me...and for you," she said.

"Maybe we could change it, or at least the last name?" he asked.

"You're talking about what, getting married?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said.

"We can't do that...I'm not sure I want to either," she said.

"Why not?" he asked.

"For one, it would be dangerous if the criminals we might be dealing with knew about it, they could get to one of us in order to stop or control the other. Not all of our friends were happy when we said we were together. And...we don't do that," she said.

"What do you mean by 'we don't do that'?" he asked.

"There are certain forces at work that won't react well if a demon is wedded...at all," she said.

"You're joking," he said.

"Not according to the books that Wraih gave me," she said.

"What 'forces'?" he asked.

"It gives my father more strength...but I'm not sure exactly how," she said.

"That's just great," he said, annoyed.

"Hey, will this decision really change anything between us?" she asked, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Of course not, but I'd like us to be able to choose it if we wanted to," he said.

"We will talk about it later. Right now, we only have a little while before we have to go down for breakfast, and... I'm still the girlfriend in your bed who wants you," Raven said, smiling at him.

"Right...How long do we have?" Robin asked, grinning.

"How long is 'forever'?" Raven asked, kissing Robin.

('The end' for now. I'm not sure exactly when the first chapter of the sequel will be up, but I do have a few good ideas for the plot - I've already got some dialogue ready for it. Since I like to stay ahead of my updates, and I have more classes this term – it might not be up until summer. If any of you have any thoughts on the sequel, please don't keep them to yourself. Hope you liked the story, and I hope you're looking forward to the next one. ~RavensMind~)