A/N: For those of you playing along at home, here's a fun Easter egg. The title of each chapter is either a lyric or title from the song I was listening to while I wrote it. Ment to mention that earlier...

xXx

Cyborg phoned the next day with the story of Starfire's absence.

"...and then she packed up and left. None of us have heard from her since. It hit Rich really hard." A part of Raven's heart broke for Nightwing. She knew only part of the loss he felt but could still imagine the pain. While her feelings had never been returned, a self same pain had nearly destroyed her once. Sensing her discomfort, Cyborg quickly changed the subject.

"So Bumble Bee called me today..."

xXx

The days passed and Raven found herself falling into a rather pleasant pattern. Having successfully enrolled at Gotham University under the alias "Rachel Roth", she attended classes with a strange enthusiasm and even enjoyed her late study nights in the library. She had even been lucky when it came to finding employment. Three days after she had come back to Earth, Gar called her with a job offer.

"Hey Rae I think I might have found you the perfect place. Zantanna and I just stopped this witch baddie named Circe from stealing a scroll at a mystical book shop. The owner is a gnome or something from another dimension but said he could use some part time help!" So Raven had gone to the interview and met the gruff owner. He seemed pleased that she had an understanding and respect for magic and often let her read some of his books when the shop wasn't busy. All in all Raven had to admit life was going unexpectedly well, that is except for one small annoyance.

It really shouldn't have been a big deal and Raven had to admit, compared to the other things she had faced during her Titan years, it was rather ludicrous that it should bother her this much. However, she was nothing if not private, and this violated that privacy so drastically. Upon choosing her classes, an adviser from the school had informed her of a rather irritating rule for first years: she must take a physical education class. Apparently some years ago the Gotham University had instituted this policy with student health in mind and while Raven knew their intent to be noble, she still had half a mind to kill the first person to make her break a sweat. Luckily she had found a loop hole. The adviser told her about a beginner's dance class held by a Professor with a very lax grading method, everything was a simple participation grade. Elated that no one would be making her run laps or chase a ball, Raven had signed up without another thought. Then the other shoe had dropped. A week into the class Professor Muntchin announced their midterm: a recital. Participation was mandatory and, added Muntchin:

"Extra credit will be given to those whom I assign lead roles. There are spots for two soloists and one duet, audition times will be posted this weekend for you to sign up. Also each student will be given four tickets for friends or family and I strongly suggest you use them. After all," said the small woman, beaming. "We want every seat to have a bottom in it!" With that Raven's privacy had been shattered. She was going to be forced into parading around before a crowd. So much for an easy class. After Muntchin's announcement Raven was approached by one of the few males in the class: Duncan Clancy.

"It's 'Rachel', right?" He asked, hovering as she gathered her books. She flicked hair out of her face and wished he would go away. Duncan always struck her as good-natured but slightly simple. Most students had learned to leave her alone by this point but she had noticed his eyes following her during Muntchin's lessons and he had even made a few feeble attempts to befriend her.

"That's me." Duncan trotted behind her like a eager puppy as she started to walk away, reminding her slightly of Changeling. Apparently he wouldn't be that easy to get rid of.

"Well I was thinking about what Muntchin said, extra credit going to the leads and that there was a spot for a duet and well I could really use the points..." Raven twirled to face the rambling, red-haired, boy. She had had enough of his irritating chatter.

"Your point, Duncan?" she snapped, glaring up at him.

"Oh!" he said with surprise, blue eyes shining. "You know my name! My point was that I've seen you dance and I think my best chance of getting a part is if I paired up with you. You've got this natural skill that would help me impress Muntchin." He stepped in front of her and blocked the door to her next class. Raven almost felt a glimmer of humor at his brazenness. Almost.

"Sorry but no. I have no reason to pair up nor try out for a lead role. My grade is perfect and I have no wish to be on display. I'll be fine twirling around in the background thank you." Turning on her heel, she began to march away to the other access door. Duncan called after her.

"But your calculus grade isn't." Raven froze. While it was true that Professor Scott's class was a dark smudge on her otherwise perfect grades, she was baffled by how Duncan could possibly know.

"How do you know that?" Duncan's normally innocent face split into a sinister smile and his usually carefree eyes narrowed. Maybe, thought Raven, he isn't the simpleton I thought. He looks like a shark that's scented blood.

"I never enter into a bargain with out knowing who I'm dealing with first Ms. Roth." he said sweetly. "Nor do I fail to get what I want. I'm taking that class myself and, if I do say so, have impressive scores. I would be happy to tutor you for the entire semester for the reasonable price of you being my dance partner." Raven chewed her lip thoughtfully. Monetary wise he was right, that was reasonable. Most other tutors she had looked into either charged more than she could pay or were little better than herself; however, the cost to her pride was high. Nearby, students came flooding out of the building, she was going to be late for her next class.

"This is a one time offer Rachel, I won't make it again." he prompted, crossing his arms. Throwing her hand up in surrender Raven spat her answer at the boy.

"Fine, I'll do it!" Instantly Duncan's face returned to that of a good-natured idiot. Raven spared a half thought to wonder which was the real him.

"Wonderful! Here's my number." he handed her a slip of paper. Raven realised that by having it at the ready he had always expected her agreement. She felt the impulse to hit him. "I'll sign us up and you can call later for the details." With that he scampered off.

Thus Raven found herself stumbling through the following week in a constant state of irritation. Between Duncan always asking questions about her life and the annoyingly personal way he invaded her space during their dance practices, she felt like screaming. She hated the way he never got ruffled no matter what insults she threw at him and the way her, to quote Changeling, "weirdness" didn't seem to discourage him. Rather, to her chagrin, he seemed almost amused by her quirks, as if determined to befriend her at all cost. She hated many things about this boy that had forced his way into her life, but mostly she hated the way she was slowly starting to like the fact that he was there. Raven had first realized it when they had taken a break to devour a pizza one study night at her apartment. It was the night before their recital and between mouthfuls she asked him why he always acted the fool when he was anything but.

"I guess its because somewhere along the lines I realized that no one watched the fool that closely, you know? If people think you're stupid they'll dismiss you until they wake up one day to see that you've bested them." He paused to offer her another slice. "I think that's also why I decided to adopt you as a friend. I've gotten so used to never being noticed that I notice everyone else. Even quiet girls that glare at goofy boys." Raven laughed, her voice filling the small living room.

"And then you "adopt" them whether they like it or not?" Duncan chuckled and shrugged.

"I guess you could say that."

That night Raven laid in bed and replayed the conversation in her mind. Purple!Raven whispered thoughts into her ear and showed her memories of their dance practices. The memory of the way his hand rested on her waist made her cheeks flush in the darkness. Yellow!Raven interrupted and sagely cautioned that she had no time for love and had come back to Earth for better reasons. Gray!Raven agreed, adding that it would probably end badly anyway. With a sigh, Raven pushed her emoticlones from her mind and turned over to sleep. Just worry about getting through the recital tomorrow Raven and nothing else.

Nearby a sliver of moonlight illuminated the four untouched tickets given to her by Muntchin. She had been too embarrassed to invite her friends.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short! I'll try to make the next one a bit longer. For a reference as to which emoticlone is which you can check out the Titan's wiki. As always your reviews are welcome!