Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans or anything affiliated with it.

Growing impatient with waiting for a response from his connections at S.T.A.R, Cyborg hassled Robin to contact his former mentor to find out whether the Justice League had been successful in examining Raven's blood samples, and determining how they could reverse the effects of the medication she'd been force-fed during her capture.

Although he appeared calm and collected, Robin couldn't deny that beneath the surface, he was anxious about speaking to Batman. What he if had no answers? Judged him for the series of events that lead to Raven becoming powerless in the first place? Revealed news that he would never be ready to hear? The call patched through to the Watchtower and Batman's face appeared on the screen. He smiled.

"Dick – I assume you're ringing about Raven?"

Robin smirked, for once glad that he'd cut straight to business; the familiar cold tone brought him comfort, security, reassurance. "Nice to see you too, Bruce."

"According to our analysis, Raven was given an extreme dose of a chemical compound called Hylotexium-283. Her blood sample shows that the cells suppressing her powers are thriving, and seeing as this is after almost a month-"

"How long, Bruce?"

"I estimate a year."

Robin sighed, clenching his fists on the console. "I hope you're bad at estimating."

"I'll liaise with our members who are well versed in demonic magic and send over any information I find."

This did little to ease Robin's anger.

"If you need a replacement for your team, I can arrange for one of our-"

"That won't be necessary," he said lowly, disconnecting the call.

She woke up in a cold sweat, plagued by thoughts that she hadn't felt for a while. The nightmares were becoming less of a problem but while their frequency decreased, their intensity increased and every time, she woke up feeling like they were real – like she was back with them.

Knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep – and cursing the early hour when she checked the time on her communicator – Raven reluctantly made her way to the living room. It was there that she found her leader looking the more stressed than she had seen him in a while. Robin's head was bowed, supported by his arms on his knees as he leaned forward. If he'd noticed her entrance, he didn't show it.

"Did Beast Boy leave the fridge open again?" she joked, sitting down next to him.

Robin raised his head and looked sadly at her. Even with his mask and her lack of bond with him, she knew that his eyes were swimming, swimming with frustration and hopelessness.

"It can't be that bad," she whispered, half laughing, although her heart was beating harder than before. She knew he had bad news. His aura screamed it.

Robin sighed, relaying the news that Bruce had delivered just half an hour before. "Your blood analysis came back. Bruce thinks that your powers won't return for a year."

Her heart stopped. Her breath caught in her throat. Her blood froze. But she kept up her emotionless façade like she'd been trained to do. "I'm so sorry, Robin."

"Why are you apologizing?" He should be the one saying sorry, sorry for ever letting those bastards near her in the first place; sorry for not saving her sooner; sorry for not being the leader she needed – or deserved.

"Because I've let you all-"

"Don't," he interrupted, his authority-laced low tone stunning her into silence. "Don't finish that sentence. None of this is your fault."

Silence hung in the air as the two Titans sat together, smothered by awkwardness.

"You'll need to find a new Titan."

Hearing her say the words aloud - say the words that he knew were true, but he desperately wanted to avoid - brought the situation to life. For the first time since they'd formed, the original line up would change.

"We'll need to." Raven looked at him questioningly until he explained, "You said 'you'll' – not 'we'll'. You're still a member of this team, Raven."

"Do you have anyone in mind?" she asked, changing the subject.

"How can you be so calm about this?" he chastised, having no one else to take his anger out on. "Do you really think that I've thought about it?"

"If you're half the leader I know you are, then yes," she said firmly, taking Robin back with her honest words. She reached for his hand and gently held it in her own. "I know you don't want to replace me but we both know you have no choice, not if you want the team to be at full strength."

He knew she was right. He knew that this change would probably be temporary, so why did it feel like this was the end?

A few hours later, when the sun had fully risen and the others had congregated in the kitchen for breakfast, Robin broke the news to Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire.

"Friend Robin, are you certain that the Batman has not made the error?"

Beast Boy couldn't contain his thoughts. "Since when did the Bat make mistakes?"

"I'm afraid not, Star," Robin soothed, trying to reassure all his teammates. He knew from the heart break on their faces that what he would reveal next would further frustrate them. "With Raven's blessing, we will be interviewing for a new Titan by the end of the week."

"No!"

Robin turned to Beast Boy, knowing before he'd confronted the team that the changeling would take this news the hardest. His loyalty knew no bounds. His past mistakes in trusting strangers haunted him. His devotion to the demoness outshone all over emotion and logic. He watched as Raven stood up and hugged her green-skinned friend. The youngest Titan crumbled in her arms and all they could do was watch as the past few weeks of stress and turmoil finally took its toll.

"Garfield-" Raven murmured into his ear. "-I'll still be here. Please don't make this harder than it already is."

The break in her monotone instantly made him look up from her tear-stained shoulder to see that she to had tears cascading down her cheeks. He wiped one away with a clawed finger.

"The year will fly by," Cyborg affirmed, standing behind the two Titans he considered his siblings. "And I won't stop trying to speed up the process. We'll get your powers back." He enveloped them both in a hug, leaving Robin and Starfire to hold hands and smile at the rare display of affection.

"Agreed. The three-hundred and sixty-five Earth days will soon cease to exist, and our friend will once again join us in kicking the butt!"

Starfire's optimism was a welcome release from the sadness spell that was cast over the Titans. Beast Boy let Raven go so she could hug the Tamaranian, locking the only other female in a fierce embrace.

"We will get through this together, friend Raven."