Riddle me this

By

Agent X

The Impossible!

A/N: Well, here it is. The long awaited, long promised sequel. The legendary 'Raven's revenge' chapter. You all thought it didn't exist. You thought I was crazy! But who's laughing now?! Ha ha ha ha ha….

Yeah, I don't get it either.

A week had gone by since her unexpected loss in a battle of literature between her and the other titans.

Oh, and Robin had kissed her.

She recalled this last detail reluctantly, as she had been trying to keep it from her mind for the whole week. Luckily, this had not been especially hard, as following the muted villainous activity there had suddenly arisen attacks from Mumbo, Control Freak and Mad Mod. They had also stopped four attempted robberies by the H.I.V.E and decommissioned another painful performance by Punk Rocket.

It had been a long week.

Yet now with the lull returning Raven felt a sense of dread and resignation creep upon her. Dread, because she did not want the confrontation that she knew was coming and resignation because she knew it would happen regardless.

Although their other teammates might have been clueless to changes in her behaviour, it was obvious to Raven (and no doubt Robin as well) that she had been avoiding him. She preferred to think of it as a strategic delay, as her pride and indignation were still riled from the liberties he'd taken from her (a kiss, Raven). But Robin had also been a good friend to her, and was still her team leader. In rare instance, Raven regretted her lack of emotional experience, supposing that if she were normal she may know what to do in this situation.

Currently, all the titans were in bed, with the exception of one, whose mind she couldn't help tracking through the tower. Thus, it came as no surprise when the rooftop door opened and a soft tread sounded behind her on the concrete.

"Raven."

She didn't turn.

"… Robin."

A short silence fell. Well, as silent as it could get with the frigid wind flowing and her cape flapping lightly about her ankles.

"Quite a spot to pick," he started, "I mean, the roof? A bit cliché, don't you think?"

His voice was smug and assured, and she realised with a start that he was trying to goad her. Skipping the pretences and jumping straight to the subject to set her off-balance. She had chosen the roof because here there was the least possibility of being interrupted or (more importantly) overheard.

She turned stolidly to face him, and was further surprised to find that the smugness in his voice did not translate onto his face. He looked steady and serious. And then he smiled.

"I think this is the first time you've looked me in the eye all week." He stated, sounding relieved.

"…so to speak." She added coolly. He smirked a little, but gave no other reaction to her comment on his mask.

Determined not to let silence to descend again, he continued with a sigh, "Raven, I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable with what happened last week. I knew that you hadn't meant to be taken literally, but I guess I took things a little too far."

He had looked off to the side in his speech, no longer facing her, and she wondered what it meant. He took a moment to compose himself before continuing, seemingly as if she weren't there,

"It was stupid of me. I could've ruined a lot of things by that…"

Frustrated, he pulled his hand through his hair before pausing and again looking back at her directly. Though more confusing and surprisingly less eloquent an explanation than she had expected, she sensed he was finished and awaiting a response.

Raven hesitated before confirming, "So you are apologising then for what happened?"

"For kissing you?" he questioned.

Her eye twitched, but she nodded resolutely.

"No."

Raven stared at him.

"Robin," she snapped, beginning to get impatient, "You're making no sense. You can't apologise for the effects, without apologising for the actions that caused them."

"I though you'd say that." he smiled. But there was something of sadness in it.

Unsatisfied with his response, she declared, "Because it sounds more like you are apologising for what could have happened if you were caught."

Her ringing statement was left hanging in the air, a triumphant challenge that had gone unanswered. As she furrowed her brows at him, Raven spoke once more.

"I don't understand."

"There's not much to understand." He conceded genially, raising his arms in a careless half-shrug, "It was a harmless joke, badly played. But this is going on way too long. You seemed to take it all badly, and I realised something needed to be done about the tension. So here I am. Any words you want to throw at me, go ahead. I'll take it. Best to get it out of your system now. I was kind of a jerk, so I understand."

If he was trying to set her off again, it was working. Raven did not lose her cool often, especially after the defeat of her father, but the sudden callousness with which he spoke made all the suppressed indignation, all the uncomfortable pain, and all the resentful humiliation come to the fore.

"Robin," she spoke, trembling, fists clenched at her sides, "Riddle me this…"

And as she stepped towards him,

"… Why is a Raven like a writing desk?"

Step.

Pause.

He frowns.

"--What?"

BAM!

Robin flew back, hand flying to his face, his masked eyes widening. Raven slowly unclenched her fist, taking a few steps forward to tower over her injured friend.

"I must admit," he began, cradling his jaw, "I should've expected that."

He glanced up at her with a pained half-smile. There was a tense pause as she looked down at him, before heaving a sigh and offering him a hand up. He took it and grinned at her

Letting her go, he turned to look at her again, and this time with a bit more seriousness asked, "Are you ready to head in now?"

She was about to nod her consent to head in, when a last stray though possessed her.

"Almost." She muttered. He looked at her curiously before she looked away.

"…Yes?"

And so she asked it. The one question that had been plaguing her since that day. "Why did you decide to answer my riddle?"

Robin tilted his head slightly as he looked at her, his thoughts unreadable. All the mirth seemed to have fallen from his face, and he now gazed at her with a calm seriousness that momentarily sent shivers down her spine. But that didn't matter, she already knew the answer.

I couldn't pass up the challenge.

Yet he surprised her once again by saying,

"I just couldn't pass up the prize."

Raven's Reaction: "Prize?!" :[

But no, we'll leave it there. Finally I have made good on my word. I'm sorry if this is a disappointing sequel (most likely). Please leave any comments or suggestions and, who knows? I may end up revising it.

Riddle by Lewis Carroll.