Hello all and welcome to the very first chapter of 'A Time Again.' I decided I'd be a nice person and give you a Christmas prezzie early. Hope you enjoy this!

And yes, I know I have other stories to see too, but this one was (in my opinion) such a good idea that I couldn't pass it up. That and I made up the plot-line in 30 minutes at 12:30 in the morning. That and I have a lot of ideas for it…so, here you go.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything not previously owned by me.

Oh, yesh, this is set after all the The Ends. And this is a Raven/Robin pairing and that only. You don't like, don't read. Simple as that. You flame me, tis ok. I have plenty of marshmallows to share with reviewers.

And this is rated T because there is minor swearing, some other stuff I know is going to come but I don't know what it is, and just because I can. And if Raven is OOC, that's ok, because that's how it's supposed to be. All will be explained. Hopefully.

Hmm…I think I'll dedicate this to Lain the Fluff-Master, for reviewing when no one else did and because she's going through a tough time now, and Insanity101, for partial inspiration and awesome possum stories.

Ok, sorry, now you can read.

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A Time Again

Chapter One: Leaving

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He was doing it again. Raven wasn't sure if he was aware of it, but it affected the whole team, and not for the better.

After Raven defeated her father, she had expected Robin to immediately go after Slade; but he didn't. He surprised her and the rest of the team by putting crime-fighting second for awhile and his friends first.

Raven supposed that was how it started. Since she was free of her father's rule, she was able to feel more without fear of her powers getting out of control. For some time now, Raven had suppressed dangerous feelings for Robin, and now that she could actually feel, she didn't know what to do. But she soon found out that the Boy Wonder felt the same way. They began to spend more and more time together, and finally, after a significant amount of pressure from their friends, started officially going out.

Things had been good for awhile, and then after a bombing in a corporate building that was under construction, everything went downhill.

Robin immediately knew who was responsible. Slade was back, and even more ready to take down the Teen Titans. The explosion had merely been a warning, the bait, and Robin had been caught.

He soon fell back into his usual Slade-hunt routine. He barely ate, never slept, and snapped at everyone. They all were used to this by now, but that didn't make it any easier to deal with.

Starfire thought that his actions were somehow her fault, that she had driven him into his solitude, and she was constantly off in thought with large bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. Cyborg tried talking to him, but got rudely kicked out. He never tried again. Beast Boy didn't even bother to try, he thought that if Robin wanted to act like a jerk, just let him be, and if he needed help, he would ask them. So it was only Raven that still tried to talk to him, to get him to eat, to at least take a break. But her actions were to no avail. Robin was their head-strong leader with a stubborn streak a mile wide, and nothing but stopping Slade could possibly end his obsession.

And Raven was sick of it. She was sick of seeing her teammates and friends suffer because Robin wouldn't push his pride out of the way, and most of all, sick of Robin not being able to trust them, to trust her enough to help.

Raven was so sick of Robin's actions, that she herself was becoming short-tempered and reclusive. Every once in awhile her temper would really rise at the dumbest of things and she could tell that when that happened, three of her friends were still scared of her. Robin was either incredibly good at hiding his fear or he wasn't afraid of her at all.

But no matter how much good she did, no matter how nice she acted, and no matter how often she reassured her friends that her evil side was diminished, she could still see and feel that flicker of fear that held their hearts at bay. Raven figured out that there wasn't much more she could do or say to banish that fear, and that it would probably always remain.

Not that she could blame them. Her destiny was the most frightening thing they had probably ever been through. They most likely wouldn't quickly forget it, if they ever did at all.

That was what she hated just as much as Robin's obsession. Raven never wanted to bring fear to anyone except those that brought fear to others. They were her friends and her only family, and being afraid of a family member is something no one can bounce back from; there would always be a part being held back.

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Raven silently strode out of her room and down the hall to Robin's. This was like a daily routine to her now; go to Robin's room and try to talk some sense into him or get at least get him to say something. She didn't expect anything to change, just to keep up the same monotone ritual until something finally altered.

She knocked loudly on his door, and after the usual no answer, let herself in. Robin was in the same spot he had been almost every time she had come to his room. He sat, hunched over a paper riddled desk with one lamp to light his readings. His room was the same too; newspaper clippings hid the walls, almost all bearing the ever-watching face of Slade. The table to her right was covered with different items ranging from a replica of Slade's mask to the lasers his robots used.

Shaking her head, Raven wove her way through the clutter to Robin's side. She gently touched him on the shoulder and he jumped, obviously startled. Basic instincts taking over, Robin whirled around, grabbed Raven's wrist, and flipped her over and onto the floor. His eyes widening, Robin realized who he had flipped. Groaning, Raven sat up and glared at Robin.

"What the hell was that for?" she demanded, grabbing the hand Robin held out to her. Hoisting her to her feet, Robin avoided her gaze and sat back down at his desk.

"Sorry," he muttered, not looking at her, "I thought you were an intruder." Raven shook her head.

"An intruder?" she asked incredulously, "The alarms would have gone off if someone tried to break in, and even then, they probably wouldn't have gotten very far into the Tower." She stated exasperatedly. Robin said nothing and Raven was becoming even more infuriated.

"Honestly, Robin, you need to stop this. You're not even thinking logically about the simplest of things. You've got your self wound up in this Slade business so much I can barely tell the difference between you two anymore."

Robin stiffened at this comment; Raven had struck a nerve with him. She could feel the anger bubbling inside him, and when he said nothing, she continued.

"The hunted has become the hunter, and I'm not sure if this is a good thing. But as much as you and Slade have in common, there is still one thing that separates you; you have friends." Raven said honestly, but not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice. "But if you continue to act like this, to maintain your obsession, you will become him."

Robin's pent-up anger had reached a breaking point. He stood up and faced Raven, his mask hiding his anger, but the waves were felt by Raven nonetheless.

"I am nothing like him; and I never will be." He growled dangerously. Raven raised an eyebrow.

"You may think that, but you have friends down there that barely know you anymore. You have become a heartless, emotionless droid that does the same thing every day. You're not even living anymore, Robin. This team needs a leader, not an obsessed hermit crab."

Raven hated to say things like that, but it was the truth, and the only option left to try and snap him out of this stage. Robin's eyes narrowed in rage as each of her words hit him like a slap across the face.

"What would you have me do?" he shouted, throwing his hands in the air, "Give up on finding Slade altogether? Just let him take control of the city?" Raven frowned.

"If you don't start acting like a friend and lead this team, Slade will take this city just as easily as if we gave it to him!" she yelled right back. "If you aren't going to direct this team, then I don't think you're fit for the title anymore." She snarled, trying everything to make him snap back into his senses.

"So what are you saying? That you're going to appoint a new leader?" Robin bellowed, outraged.

"I'm not saying anything. Just telling you what everyone's been thinking." Raven sneered. "If you don't snap out of this you are going to loose your friends. You will stoop to Slade's level and become exactly what he has wanted since day one. You'll be playing right into his hands." She hissed coldly.

Robin shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're actually saying this to me. You were the last person on my side and now this."

"I am on your side. I am trying to help you. And if you're going to be a bigoted ass about it, I won't help you anymore." Raven said, staring him in the eyes. Robin's mouth dropped open; the last thing he wanted was to push her away. She then turned on her heel and strode to his door, stopping just as she was about to leave.

"And when you become exactly what Slade has wanted all this time, don't say I didn't tell you so." she said, walking out the door and closing it behind her.

X

When Raven came walking into the hallway, she was met with the three other members of the team. She could see the glimmer of fear shining in their eyes as she stared them down like a vulture.

"What?" she snapped, just wanting to get to her room. Starfire cringed slightly at the tone of her voice, Cyborg frowned, and Beast Boy didn't meet her piercing gaze. They had undoubtedly heard her and Robin's fight. Raven didn't want to sound agitated, but shouting gave her an unbearable head ache. When none of them responded Raven didn't wait around; she immediately headed for the quiet sanctuary of her room.

Sighing, Raven collapsed in her bed and rubbed her temples slowly. Why did he have to be so stubborn? If that damn pride didn't get in the way all the time someone might be able to break through his seemingly indestructible barriers and help him out. But of course not, his obstinate streak was what made him Robin. Groaning, Raven pulled herself off of her bed and headed out the door; she needed some tea.

When Raven entered the common room, Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire were all sitting on the couch. Beast Boy and Cyborg were trying to concentrate on a race, but finding it hard to. When the three of them heard Raven going about the kitchen and making her tea, the game was paused and all of them were staring at her.

Raven kept her back to them, ignoring their questioning stares. She sipped her hot tea silently, sighing deeply as the liquid lessened her head ache. Finally, when she thought she could avoid their looks no longer, Raven turned around and stared them in the eyes.

"Um, are you ok?" Beast Boy asked cautiously. Raven laughed bitterly; something that did not suit her.

"Am I ok?" she said, slamming her mug of tea on the counter. "Oh, I'm about as ok as someone can be when their boyfriend is obsessed with a psychopath and their remaining friends are afraid of her. But besides that, I'm just peachy." She cried out, turning around and striding briskly to the door.

Beast Boy, Cyborg and Star all stared at her in shock. Raven never acted like this.

"Friend!" Starfire cried, "Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving. I can't deal with this anymore." Raven answered, never stopping.

Each of their mouths sprang open as they watched their friend's retreating back.

X

Raven strode up to her room, still trying to comprehend the decision she had just made. She said she was leaving, quitting the team. Was that what she really wanted? Raven considered this. She always had this little thought in the back of her head that she didn't fit in and should just leave. But there was always her friends holding her back. Now, there was nothing. Her friends were afraid of her, something Raven couldn't live with, and Robin didn't want her help, so she had no reason to stay.

Placing up a stony façade, Raven entered her room and began filling a backpack with the few things she treasured and needed. Awhile back for Christmas, Raven had received some street clothes from Robin if she ever desired to wear something else. Well now she realized that those would be perfect if she was going to be out on the streets. The last thing she needed was for people to recognize her and then the press to start asking questions. She would just silently fade into the shadows and not be noticed by anyone.

Quietly, Raven grabbed the clothes from the bottom drawer in her dresser and changed into them. Surprisingly, she found she rather liked them. The navy blue cargos hung loosely around her legs and she found them incredibly comfortable and easy to move around in. Since it was getting colder outside, Raven put on the black jacket over her dark grey tank top.

Raven pulled open the top drawer of her dresser and removed the mirror to Nevermore and placed it gently in her bag. She had accumulated a few more articles of normal clothing over the years, and also placed those in her bag. A book might be nice, so Raven stuffed her favorite one along with her costume in the backpack. Luckily, Raven had saved up some money over the years and placed all of it in her pocket.

Frowning, she realized that her boots would probably have to go too, and dug around in her closet until she found a pair of sneakers that she had never worn. She quickly pulled them on her feet and headed for the door, but stopped just as she was about to leave.

On her nightstand were two pictures; one of all the Titans, happily gathered together for the picture, and for once, Raven gave a small smile. The other was of her and Robin. It was taken recently, and now Raven was laughing, her arm around Robin.

Banishing the old memories away from her mind, Raven quickly slipped the photos in her bag and left her room.

X

Cyborg had come to Robin and told him that Raven was leaving shortly after she announced it. Robin couldn't believe it, she didn't even give a reason, or ever express that she had wanted to do this before.

Robin left his room for the first time in two days and heard someone going quietly and quickly down the stairs. He sprinted for the flight of stairs and saw a flash of purple hair turn the corner. Hastily he flew down the stairs and saw Raven heading for the door, about ready to leave forever.

"Raven, wait!" he cried out, hoping she would listen to reason. Raven wavered and turned her head to the side. Then she looked down at her feet and silently left Titan's Tower.

Robin shook his head and sank to the ground. Raven had been right; in his arrogance and narrow-mindedness he had pushed all his friends away. And now he had pushed her so far that he couldn't bring her back.

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Well there you have it. Please tell me if you liked it, loved it, hated it, want to kill me, or if I should just kill myself and save everyone the trouble.

I considered updating every other week or something, but I want to have at least a good start into a new chapter each time I update, so updates might be scattered and slow. This is mainly due to exams coming up (blech) and the fact that I get distracted very easily.

Merry Christmas! Or, if you're the politically correct type: Happy Christmahanakwanzakuh. Or however it's spelled.