-Creeps in sneakily- I, The Hooded Menace, have finally updated! Sorry about the delay; holidays, a big storm, and writer's block threw me off. Anyway, I dedicate this chapter to all my reviewers, watchers, and favoritors. Please please please review; it honestly helps me write.

Disclaimer - I, The Hooded Menace, do not own the Teen Titans. Execept Aqualad, who is my slave XD

The Power Of The Sea -

Making A Splash

I kissed her.

He was a bit stunned by his own actions. It had felt rather natural at the time, although, he saw now, that it may not have been his best choice. Still, she had not seemed to be repelled by the kiss; hopefully she just saw it as a gentlemanly gesture. For that, Aqualad concluded, was what it had been.

Wasn't it?

But anyway, that wasn't his current problem. Right now, the Atlantian was trying to decide what would be the least threatening way to get Raven in the water. It was obvious that he'd have to start her in the pool, but he greatly doubted that she'd be keen to jump in. Forcing her in was not an option, even if it was physically possible. Which it probably wasn't. Frowning, he discarded various ideas, from the semi-plausible to the insanely ridiculous. When he was about to go mad, inspiration struck – he could empty the waters from the pool, and using his powers, fill it as she was in it, stopping when she became too frightened. With that done, all he had to do was wait for Raven.

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Meanwhile, the abovementioned Titan was fighting her own demons. The night before, she heard the voice again. And this time, it came with visuals – a wildly crashing ocean set against a storming sky. She could almost feel the force of the waves pummeling her until nothing was left. Especially considering that Aqualad was to start helping her today, it was not a good omen. Briefly, the empath considered bailing out, but discarded the idea. Although afraid, she was no coward. Anyway, if she didn't show, she had a sneaking suspicion that Robin would hunt her down and drag her there. She wouldn't give him the opportunity. He'd find it too amusing, and she's never live it down.

Ever.

So it was with a heavy heart that Raven slipped into her swimsuit. Over it she wore her cloak, partially as a cover up, partially a security blanket. She decided to skip the walk and transport herself to the pool, avoiding Beast Boy's jokes and Starfire, who by now was to be full of questions for her about 'friend Aqualad,' and she didn't feel like dealing with that. With a dramatic swish of the cloak, the teen vanished from her room.

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Aqualad was startled when Raven suddenly appeared in front of him. He had never seen her transport like that before; even if he had, someone coming from nowhere was something that would be hard to get used to. However, he quickly regained composure. "Good morning," he said courteously, "Shall we begin?"

She nodded. With a quick flick of her wrist, the empath freed the cloak from her shoulders, revealing a pale blue tankini. Briefly, the Atlantian admired the suit, or, more accurately, the person in it, but soon returned to the matter at hand.

"First, please step into the pool."

He saw her shudder, but relax when she noticed the lack of water. A moment later, he followed her in, hiding something behind his back. She looked at him curiously. He smirked.

"Thought you might need this," he winked, producing a garish inflated horse, the type generally used by children who can't swim.

"No," she replied in a tone tinged in disgust, "I think I'd rather drown."

"Look, now you've hurt his feelings." Indeed, the horse looked incredibly sad, especially when you remembered he was a pool toy.

"It's an inanimate object," she retorted, "It doesn't have feelings."

"His name is Charley," Aqualad said in a dignified tone, "And he wants me to tell you how terribly hurt he is by your remarks."

Raven suppressed a smile. "Then tell Charley that I will not be in need of his services, hurt as he may be."

She hadn't noticed the pool, formerly empty, was now about a quarter of the way full. Charley was an excellent distraction, one that Aqualad found moments before she arrived. The banter continued until Raven realized that water was gently lapping at her thighs. She almost panicked but regained control of herself. Without a word, he handed her the inflated horse, which she accepted.

"Do you think you can stand some more water?" he gently enquired, watching closely her reaction. She bit her lip slightly, but consented. He let the water level rise until reached her chest, and then stopped the flow.

"Now, I want to teach you how to float. You need to breathe deeply and lay on your back. Don't worry," he added, seeing the fear in her eyes, "I'll support you until you float on your own. Remember, you can stand up at any time and get out, if you feel overwhelmed. I don't want you do have to do something you're not ready for."

Obediently, Raven breathed deeply and let herself go on her back. For one frightening moment, she thought she was going to sink, but Aqualad supported her back, keeping her at the surface.

"Concentrate on breathing. Hold the air in your lungs – that's it, just breathe – feel that, you're afloat!"

He moved his hands and she stayed at the surface. Once she knew that she wasn't going to sink, the girl was amazed to discover that she felt relaxed, almost like she was meditating. Too relaxed, she realized a moment later, when she forgot to breathe deeply and started sinking. Rather than breathing in, Raven panicked, thrashing and clinging to the first solid object she came in contact with, which just happened to be Aqualad. He let her cling to him, soothing her, stroking her hair. All too soon she was calmed, and regretfully the two parted.

"How about a break then we try that again?" he asked.

"Okay," she said, a faint blush on her cheeks.

The Titan would have been more than blushing had she known that they were being watched. From just far enough away to not be detected stood a terrible creature, one with a grudge. Trident was scheming, and once he took out the one who always managed to thwart him, nothing could stop him. He growled as he put down his telescope.

"Seems you've made a new friend, Aqualad," he hissed, "But that will be of no consequence. I will still destroy you!"