Hey!

Yes, "Desert Rose" is back up.

To be honest I didn't want to upload my old stories back up or write again… or at least not so soon, but I received many, many reviews telling me to not stop writing or at least uploading my stories back up and especially "Desert Rose".

I was amazed how many people mailed me and told me that I shouldn't leave FF, but most importantly I am overwhelmed how many people want to see my stories back… that's why I have decided to put back up "Desert Rose", but I have to say that it may take a while before the next chapter will be up, because I wanted to re-write "Desert Rose" (many people pointed out some plot holes and mistakes). And if anybody don't want me to write anymore or don't want to see my stories back up, just tell me and I will take it down. It was just that many people wanted to see this story back and it's a thank you to everyone who mailed me.

To my other or new stories: I am not sure if or when my other stories will be back up. Maybe never or maybe a while later… it depends on how everything will work out with my mother and my life. I can't promise anything right now, but I'll try my best…

Lastly, I wanted to thank everyone who mailed me or left me a review and wishing my mother the best luck… you can't imagine how much that means to me and I just wanted to thank you guys for that… So, thank you very, very, very, very much!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Desert Rose


Chapter one:

Othello

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
the meat it feeds on."

Othello, 3. 3

xxxxxxxxxxxx

It was the same as every day. We fight crime and afterwards we go out eating pizza or whatever else. It was our routine.

A routine you have to love. It is something constant.

Constancy– something I haven't had for a long time in my life. Until I met them.

Today was no difference. We beat Mad Mod and of course we are heading to a near by pizzeria. I would be disappointed if not. But as much as our after-battle-pizza-eating is a routine, it is a routine as well that one member always refuses to come along.

Raven.

Not that I blame her and to be honest I'm actually glad that she never comes. As I said it is a routine and more than anything else I need routines.

So, I don't think that today will be different, will it?

I shook my head and follow my team-mates to the T-Car. But I stop as I see our leader, my leader, Robin, approaching the dark witch. I know, I shouldn't call her that and I don't mean it bad. It's just that I so strange when she is around me – almost bewitched, jinxed.

Probably because she is the only one who can see me.

Really see me.

As I watch Robin and Raven I feel something I shouldn't. It's strange but somehow my stomach doesn't want to give me rest. This feeling – it's overwhelming, absorbing. It is creeping from the pit of my stomach to the tips of my fingers and toes.

"Hop on Raven." I hear Robin saying to Raven while gesturing at his R-Cycle. I look at Raven and to my satisfaction I see her glaring at Robin. She will surely say something sarcastic and then go back to the Tower.

But then again, why do I bother?

Why is it so important that Raven don't come with us?

Before Raven opens her mouth, Robin speaks. "Or are you scared?" He has a cocky grin on his face.

A grin which melts every girl's heart.

I see how Raven's eyes widen and then narrowing to slits.

"Why would I be scared?" she spat.

"So, you are coming." Robin states and hands her a helmet.

"I-" Raven begins but then her eyes flickers towards my other team-mates. My eyes also glance to the others and I can see them smiling encouragingly.

Why does this bother me at all?

Then, I feel her eyes resting on me and I try to smile, just like the others, but somehow I suspect that it comes out more than a grimace than a smile.

Raven's gaze drifts again to Robin, who is now flashing her one of his heart-melting smiles.

I hope, I pray that she will decline as always. I see her rolling her eyes and letting out a sigh before grabbing the helmet from Robin's hands.

"But I'm sitting at the front," she says in her usual monotone voice and positions herself on the cycle while my other team-mates are cheering loudly. "I know how you drive and I don't want to end as dead body."

Robin chuckles and hops on his bike behind Raven, putting his arms around her waist he starts the cycle and drives off at top speed.

A faint cuss can be heard and the two birds are off.

It shouldn't bother me, I tell myself for the hundredth time today. But the problem is: It bothers, it eats me from inside. I don't want them see together.
I-

"Terra?" I spin around at the mentioning of my name only to meet two pair of emerald eyes.

"Are you alright?" Beast Boy asks.

"Why shouldn't I be alright?" I ask back harsher than I originally intended. He shrugs his shoulders gesturing at my clenched fists. "Maybe because you're digging your nails on your palm?" I stare at my hands, quickly unclenching them. I haven't realized that I was doing that. Strangely, I haven't felt any pain.

At least no physical pain.

I look back at the spot where moments ago Robin and Raven had stood.

"Are you coming or what?" Cyborg yells from the T-Car. Tearing my eyes away from the spot, I wander to the car and take a seat on the front. Usually her place.

"It is wonderful that friend Raven has decided to part take in our feast." Starfire beams from the backseat as Cyborg starts the engine of the car. I roll my eyes at the Tamaranean princess. Is there anything Starfire does not think is wonderful?

"Wonderful?" Beast Boy chirps. "For a moment, I thought that she would blast Robin straight to Africa."

"You and me, brother. You and me," Cyborg says with a small chuckle. "But it's sure nice that dark girl is coming along."

"She seemed a bit … distracted and tried lately." Starfire muses in an unusual serious manner. "I mean, since we… she has defeated her father." She adds as an after thought.

"I don't know why you are so persisting about Raven coming alone. She doesn't want to come then she shouldn't." I mutter out loud my thoughts but I immediately regret it as I see the glance Cyborg shots me and Starfire's eyes glowed a vibrant green for a brief moment.

"I mean, we shouldn't pressure her. It could be too much, it is better if we leave her alone." I quickly add, hoping that that they will not suspect anything.

Fortunately for me, I can be really convincing if I want to be.

So, Cyborg turns his attention back to the road while Starfire begins to chat with Beast Boy. But before turning his attention to Starfire, I see Beast Boy looking at me suspiciously.

Can it be that he suspects something?

Beast Boy and I used to be close friends – even more than friends. But that was a long time ago. Now, we are only friends.

Ironically, it was not me who had broken up. It was him, who had stated that we weren't made for each other. I had suspected something like that but somehow it was easier to stay with him than facing the truth.

Because the problem is that I don't know what the truth is.

Yeah, that was it… not much changed in the first chapter. You will see the changes in the second chapter.

So, review? Or not… just do whatever you want to do…

Bye,

Alena

PS: Everybody who mailed me and have not received a reply yet, not give up on me… as you know, it's a little bit hectic right now, but I will definitely mail you back. Just wait a bit and everybody will get her or his reply… I promise… just wanted to tell you that, because I appreciate every mail…