A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: I had this idea while I was writing "Metaphors and Similies," and had a good chuckle about it. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One: The Decision.

Eight-year-old Melvina walked into the playroom, a dark blue towel wrapped high around her head. She nearly toppled over twice as she maneuvered around the messy room and chided the boys for not putting away their things, again. Not that she was any neater. Her fashion dolls cluttered a corner of the room, surrounded by hundreds of pairs of little plastic shoes. She plopped down in a shocking green bean bag chair and turned on the television.

"Whatcha doin' Melvin?"

"Hi, Teether," she said to the five-year-old boy who just peeked his head into the room. "I'm watching some cartoons."

"All right! Hey, what's that on your head?"

"A to-wel, duh…"

"Yeah, but why is it on your head?"

"I dyed my hair for Halloween tomorrow. It's part of my costume." She smiled and added with pride, "I'm going to be Raven! Have you figured out what you're going to be?"

"I'm going to be Plasmus!" Teether announced.

"You can't be Plasmus; he's a bad guy!" Melvin protested.

"So?"

"And he's gross and icky." Melvin shuddered and shook her arms dramatically.

"So?" Teether took great delight in making his older sister squirm.

"Well, you just can't be Plasmus," Melvin decided. "What about Nightwing?"

Teether shook his head.

"The Flash?"

"Nah, Timmy's going to be Kid Flash. I don't wanna be like him."

"Speedy?"

Teether shook his head and stomped his feet. "I wanna be Plasmus!"

Melvin rolled her eyes and looked to the ceiling. The towel slid back, and the girl caught the bundle just before it snapped her head back. She let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"Is something wrong in here?"

Teether and Melvin spun around. A young woman, wearing a long white cloak leaned against the doorway. She folded her arms across her chest, revealing her long sleeved, black leotard. Her shoulder length dark hair framed her face and a pair of deep violet eyes looked at the children.

"Raven!" the kids exclaimed happily.

Raven kneeled and opened her arms wide as the children rushed over to hug her. The witch's arms wrapped affectionately around the boy and girl and a smile spread across her face. The towel fell off Melvin's head, revealing wild stand out hair oddly streaked in blues and blacks. Raven stood and coiled a lock of Melvin's hair in her fingers.

"I hope this is only a rinse," she said kindly.

"You don't like it?" Melvin asked desperately.

"I'm flattered you wanted to dress like me tomorrow, Melvin. You look fine. Really, I can't wait to see you in your costumes."

"Miss Raven?" Teether asked. "Are you going to come with us tomorrow?"

Raven grinned gently. "I'm sorry, kids. We're going out on patrol tomorrow. Nightwing wants us out in case someone gets in trouble."

Teether suddenly fell into a fit of giggles, and Melvin sighed, perfecting her disgusted eye roll. Raven arched an eyebrow quizzically and looked to the little girl.

"Timmy said that you and Nightwing are well, boyfriend and girlfriend."

Teether sang, "Raven and Nightwing sittin' in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"

Raven looked to her shoes, hid a slight blush, and smiled broadly. "Well, I think Starfire would have something to say about that," she said trying not to laugh. She turned to the young boy and mussed his mop of blond hair. "So, Plasmus, huh? Can I ask why?"

"Because he's big, purple, and yucky," Teether said matter-of-factly.

Raven grinned, "Those are good enough reasons for me. But I think a Plasmus costume would be a little hard to make this late, Teether. Did you have a back up plan? You know that Nightwing always says that every hero should have a back up plan."

"Um," Teether put his finger to his mouth and struck an exaggerated thoughtful pose. "Miss Raven? Can I be Nightwing?"