Raven froze, feeling Robin stiffen next to her too. Cyborg carried on talking, his back to them, unaware of the impact his words had on his two friends. Raven turned her head to look at Robin, her fear and shock written on her face. He looked into her wide eyes; she could see anger in his face, but with his mask on she couldn't be sure what he was hiding in his eyes. "Robin..." she whispered."It's ok, Rae. This had to happen eventually." He replied under his breath. "What are you going to do?"Raven looked away from him; his gaze had now become intense. She drew a deep breath. "I'll come with you, see what he wants, but I won't fight. If it comes to that." She added. "But Robin, I know you. Please, don't try and take revenge on him for what he did. It's all in the past, and I don't want you to feel that I expect it of you."He sighed. "Don't worry. I won't do anything unless he attacks me first.""Thank you." She murmured, squeezing his hand that she still held. He squeezed hers back and lent forward to whisper in her ear, "I love you. You know that, right?"She nodded. "I love you too.""Um, excuse me? Sorry to interrupt, but are you guys ready to go?" Beast Boy's voice broke into their consciousness. They both looked up to see him standing with his hand on his hips, frowning in a bewildered way. "Honestly, I don't know if I'll ever get used to you two lovebirds." He laughed.Raven smiled, needing the lighter moment. "Ok, let's go." Robin said, his fingers still locked with hers. "Do you want to come on my bike with me?" he asked her.Raven nodded. She didn't want to be separated from him right now.Down in the garage, Robin expertly straddled the bike, leaving Raven to scramble clumsily on behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he said, "Ok, you ready?""Yes." She said, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin oh his shoulder. He turned the ignition, and with a roar it came to life. And they sped off.As the wind blew by, slapping her face and sending her cloak billowing out behind her like a long purple banner, she felt more exhilarated than she could ever remember feeling. All her fears seemed to be blown away and she knew that she would always be ok. As long as she had Robin. He would always be there for her. Slade could not touch them, no matter how angry or betrayed he felt.They pulled up outside an abandoned looking factory, the rest of the team close behind. Robin got off the bike, turning back to take her hand as she climbed off. Setting his helmet on the seat, he took her hand again, looking closely at her face. "You ok? Are you ready for this?" he murmured so that the team couldn't hear."Yes. I'm fine." She said confidently.They walked through deserted corridors, passing locked, dirty doors. At the end of what seemed to be the main thoroughfare, big double doors stood open, the large room beyond dimly lit. Robin and Raven went first, their fingers laced together, and the rest of the team fanned out behind them.Their footsteps echoed around the large hall they walked into. Tables were pushed up against the walls, covered in once white cloths, now covered in dust. Around and on top of these were hundreds of boxes and a few upturned chairs. They walked forward cautiously, eyes raking the shadows for movement."Slade!" Robin called out. "Here we are!"His voice bounced off the walls, fading into silence once more."Yes indeed, Robin. Here you are." A silky, metallic voice that was all too familiar to Raven floated over."Slade? Where are you?" Raven said softly. Silence. She looked around nervously. Something didn't feel right.Then, something moved to their left. Slowly, Slade stepped into the light, coming to stand right in the middle of the room, only a few feet away."Welcome, welcome." He said softly. "How... wonderful to see you all again." But the one eye he showed was fixed on Raven. It travelled from her face, to Robin's, narrowing almost imperceptibly when it reached their linked hands. "I see that there have been some new developments in the Titans Tower. In fact, there is not much that I haven't seen." He sneered.Raven gasped. So he had been watching that night. The thought made her shudder. She felt Robin's hand clench over her own, and slanted a sideways glance at him. His mouth was drawn into a thin line and a muscle twitched in his jaw. She tightened her hand too, making him glance at her. Silently, she pleaded with her eyes for him to let it go. Don't get angry, she thought. Behind them, the team looked between them confusedly. Had they missed something?Robin sighed, calming himself, and turned back to Slade."What do you want, Slade?" he asked."Well... honestly, I was hoping you'd be rearing for a fight and would get things started, but it seems you're very clearheaded today... although I did seem to be getting to you a moment ago, before dear Raven calmed you." He glared at her."So it's a fight you want?" Robin asked. Raven looked quickly at him - his voice had betrayed a bit of anticipation."Robin!" she hissed. He looked sheepishly at her.Turning back to Slade he said, "Sorry, but I can't oblige. Raven has asked me not to fight you." She heard the hint of regret."You won't fight? Ah, poor Robin. So easily controlled by a woman. How... sweet. You obviously don't mind making yourself look weak just to keep her happy." He said sneeringly. "I find that rather touching."Robin straightened his spine. "You won't bait me into a fight.""Too bad. Well, perhaps it will be permitted for me to fight you?""Why are you doing this, Ga-...? Slade?" she asked in a suffocated voice. "Why do you have to be like this? Weren't we friends?""You know what you did to change that." He said angrily."But you knew how I felt about him! Surely it wasn't such a surprise?""Ok, what the heck is going on here?" Cyborg cried.Slade looked surprised for a moment. "I see that you have been keeping certain things quiet, Raven. Time enough to explain later... right now, Robin and I have a score to settle..."Raven's hand tightened once again on Robin's as Slade walked forward, cracking his knuckles.