i'm not really a fan of any pairings to Raven... i want her to choose herself instead of us making up our own little fantasies about her love life...but i have hypocritical tendencies... so here's a story about Aqualad and Raven.

*some dude told me to warn people that this is an OOC.. although i have no idea what that means... you guys decide if it's really OOC... i think it's an AU... i think all fanfics are AU since most of the characters used aren't really their own...

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. I'm too poor to even afford a comic about them.

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Part 1: Never Ignore Strange Premonitions: Raven Learns the Hard Way

Raven and Aqualad found themselves in an undersea cavern. They would have to spend a week in each others company in order to finish this new training program Bumblebee organized. To know what this training is and how these two ended up as prison—er, training buddies, let's look back in time, somewhere around 5-6 hours ago…

It was just another normal day in the Titans Tower at Jump City. The other Titan's from the East Tower were also there, paying their monthly visit and video game tournament. Speedy and Beast Boy were in full throttle as they were now competing for the championship in said game tournament. Mas y Menos were also at full throttle: bickering and fighting since both of them lost during the semi-finals of the tournament. And yes, they were arguing in uncensored Spanish. After all, only Bumblebee can understand what they're talking about most of the time. But as of now she wasn't around and the twins can practice their "freedom of expression." Starfire was heartily cooking something up in the kitchen with the usual pink blob oozing out of the pot.

Raven was at another table reading her usual book. She seemed quite at peace, Starfire noticed, even though the place was noisier than usual. Maybe, she thought, friend Raven has finally opened up and is starting to appreciate the noise of joyfulness that fills the room! (and queue pink flowers and bubbles popping out behind the Tamaranean Princess.) Unknown to our alien princess, Raven was actually wearing earplugs so she couldn't hear any of the clamor and pandemonium happening in the room. She was happy in her own little quiet world as she read her book. Although she had this premonition that she shouldn't wear the earplugs today, she still wore them anyway to avoid the noise and ruckus of the tower.

Suddenly Cyborg burst in the room grinning like mad and said, "Listen up y'all! Bumblebee's got a great idea for a new training program for all us Titans!"

…

…

Starfire was still cooking, Mas y Menos were still quarreling, Beast Boy and Speedy were still at it, and Raven's still reading her book.

Robin and Bumblebee followed Cyborg into the room. Seeing the room's sluggish response, Robin with his eyebrows raised, sympathetically tapped Cyborg's back, "Uh, Cy. I don't think they heard you. Maybe you need to be a bit louder." Cyborg, half embarrassed and pissed by the unresponsiveness of the people in the room, took out a megaphone ready to scream one word in mind that best expressed his feelings as Robin and Bumblebee readily cover their ears.

"BOOOOOOOOO-YAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

The whole room shook and Starfire's um… meal fell on the floor. The TV screen broke, stopping the tournament and the twins stopped bickering when they realized that their fearless leader was now in the room. So long freedom of expression, it was nice while it lasted. Raven didn't notice what was happening because of the earplugs, but Cyborg didn't mind, he could always fill her in on the details later since she tended to get black and scary when you disturbed her. Now that Cyborg had the attention of almost all of the people in the room he began once again, "Now as I was saying…" Cyborg clears his throat and grinned again as he repeated, "Listen up y'all! Bumblebee's got a great idea for a new training program for all us Titans!"

Silence.

Then Beast Boy replied to Cyborg's glee with the true feelings he too, felt during that time….

"Uh… yay…?"

With that response, Robin began to explain just what the new training program was. "So basically this training program, as Cyborg has said, is for all us Titans, East and West, to participate in. We'll divide ourselves in groups by lottery, specifically in groups of two. We'll then be sent to different, isolated locations in or out the city where we'll have to survive for a week. At the same time, we must complete different tasks given to us without using our special powers. This training will not only require physical strength but also mental strength, which will hopefully strengthen after its done. But most importantly, this training will also help in our team building with the two Titan sectors. Which is why the pair will have to consist a member of both the East and West coast Titans. Now, any questions? None? Great. Bumblebee, your turn." Robin gestured with his hands and let Bumblebee stand in the center. She was carrying a top hat in her hand as she put pieces of papers that were in her other hand into the hat.

"Will two representatives from both the East and West Titans please come in front and take a piece of paper from the hat."

The twin "Speedy Gonzales" (as I like to call them) were the representatives of the East Titans while Starfire and Beastboy were the represetantive of the East Titans. And the results were as follows:

Starfire - Speedy (Speedy was more than happy with the results)

Beastboy - Menos (The two somehow got each other's names)

Mas - Robin (Robin: *looks at Mas* Uh…. Hi…)

Cyborg - Bumblebee (Nobody actually saw either one of them picking out a paper)

Beast Boy wasn't at all pleased with the result. Robin wasn't happy either as he saw Speedy's arm around Starfire's shoulder as he played his "moves" on her. Robin broke them off and clumsily put himself in between the two. He knew he was acting out of character but he couldn't help it when thoughts of this Red Marauder getting his slimy hands on Starfire was playing back and forth in his mind. His eyes then locked onto Cyborg and Bumblebee, happy as they can be. He knew something was off on how those two just happen to be partnered with each other and how the lottery ended up as it did. So with a little chat here and a little blackmail of an embarrassing pic of Cyborg that caters to a plunger and the toilet (don't ask) there, Robin got to swap. Mas was now Starfire's partner and Robin was stuck with Speedy. It wasn't a total loss thought Robin, since the little Mas was far less a threat to him than this young testosterone-filled red head.

Beast Boy was still displeased with the results and he mustered up all his brain cells to figure out what was wrong with the results. And- he got it.

"Aha! Dudes! Wait a minute!" he jabbed a knowing finger at no one in particular, "There's still someone missing in the results! Can I change partners with whoever from the East still doesn't have a partner?"

Bumblebee and Cyborg looked at the young changeling with much trepidation. "Say, BB. You sure about that?" Cyborg tilted his head with eyes full of concern, "Coz' the only person left is-" Cyborg was cut short when the door opened and came in the majestic being of the deep, with his long and damp jet-black hair shining more than the usual. His eyes were black (or was it violet..? I can't quite see) and if you peer into it, your very soul will succumb to his will. With intelligence, charm and strength to match his looks. He can be, what a lot of people (and fans) call, the perfect being. Apparently, he was taking a swim and only arrived now.

Everyone was staring at him. The Atlantean prince raised an eyebrow and nonchalantly asked, "What?"

Beast Boy's hopes and optimistic anticipation was shattered with one fell swoop when he realized that Aqualad was the only East Titan left. He absent-mindedly picked up Menos, hugged him and silently squealed, "Hold me."

While all of this was happening, Raven was still in her happy little world filled with silence. She finally finished what she was reading and decided to check up on what the others were doing. She stood up form where she was sitting and noticed that everyone was gathered in a group staring at Aqualad who stood opposite to them. As she approached them she began to have the same nagging feeling she got this morning, but this time it urged her to run away. However this feeling was overpowered by her curiosity at the strange situation she was seeing. She would then, after the following events that happened, never question her premonitions ever again. She took off her earplugs she stood between the other Titans and Aqualad.

"So, what are you guys doing?" her voice was the same monotonous tone that she used every time she spoke. It's not that she's not interested… well... most of the time, she thought, but this time she really did want to know what this weird atmosphere floating about was.

As Raven's teammates looked at her, they had a remorseful look upon their faces knowing the fate that had been set upon her. They all knew that no matter how seemingly "perfect" Aqualad was, he was actually difficult to deal with. He only talked when it was necessary. And his cold demeanor and Raven's taciturn habits won't create a loving atmosphere that will ever foster team building between the two. As these thoughts passed through the minds of the other Titans, they silently made prayers for the two.

While the two currently being prayed upon, Raven and Aqualad, could only simultaneously raise their eyebrow in bewilderment and ask in unison, "What?"

Bumblebee mustered up her courage and softly said, "Umm… since you guys were the only ones left… you guys are going to be partners in this new training program that we came up with…."

Now, it is a fact that Raven and Aqualad are known to be one of the "smart ones" in the group. But something in this strange situation and in this strange atmosphere, they found themselves in this strange predicament and somehow, strangely, they had the hardest time to swallow and digest to what Bumblebee had just said. As the computing continued in their minds and realization finally dawned on them, the two once again repeated their previous phrase only with much more intensity, "WHHHHHAAAATTTT!"

After much, MUCH explaining and with a help of a little force, the two, finally surrendered and agreed to go along with the training program. Before the groups went to their respective training areas Beast Boy wanted to somehow help Raven since he felt responsible for Raven's current situation since he backed down on his earlier suggestion to swap partners. He tried to think for words he could say to the goth girl so that he could at least lighten her mood.

Just as Raven and Aqualad was about to jump out of the T-ship Beast Boy called out to the young empath.

"Hey Raven, wait!"

Raven stopped. (Aqualad stopped too.) She looked at Beast Boy, "What..?"

"Uh..um… about the whole partner thing with Aqualad… It's not as bad as you think." Aqualad didn't say anything but merely raised his eyebrow.

"Oh? How so? We don't even have anything in common. And we have to live with each other for SEVEN. STRAIGHT. DAYS." Raven didn't mean to offend Aqualad… much. But what she said was true.

Beast Boy also knew what Raven said was slightly true, but they did have something in common he thought, "That's not true! You guys do have something in common!" the changeling desperately flailed his hands around as he spoke.

"And that would be?" Raven cocked a brow.

"You both-" Beast Boy stopped midway, realizing that if he said that both of them were anti-social that would just earn him a trip to an alternate dimension and he didn't like those trips much. Raven was sternly looking at him now, waiting for his answer. Tension was rising up and Beast Boy suddenly blurted out, "YOU BOTH LIKE BLUE! So there! Have fun! You guys be nice to each other now!" he accidentally pushed Raven and Aqualad off the T-ship in his state of panic and Raven didn't have the chance to slap Beast Boy upside-down.

The location of the training area was also supposed to be based on lottery but since Bumblebee felt sorry for her teammate, she decided to give them a location where Aqualad wouldn't feel too tense. It's not that she favored Aqualad more; it's just that she knew him better and she thought that it would be better if at least one of them would feel at ease first so that their training won't end up in disaster.

So here they are. Trapped in an underwater cavern for one week. The two haven't spoken to each other since they got there.

Aqualad glanced at Raven.

Raven, too, glanced (it was more like a glare really) at the Atlantean prince.

Silence.

"So… Uh…" the young Atlantean coughed, "You like blue, huh..?"

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what do you guys think? sorry if it's not so big on words... English is not my first language and i'm trying to practice it through writing. constructive criticism is highly commended. =)