Live and Love

Author's Note: This is collaboration between Rraz45 and myself. We hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: We claim nothing that you recognize! If you don't recognize it, it's original. Simple as that.

Chapter 6: Crap

Raven slipped into the living room rather early. The Titans East and Argent left the night before. They said they would be back as soon as they subdued Steam Roller. The Titans had decided to stay together for a while. Bumblebee complained that there was nothing to do in Steel City. Upon hearing this news, Starfire asked if they could stay until something was wrong it Steel City. Somehow, they recruited Kid Flash as a transport, who didn't mind as long as the twins did the same thing. Raven sighed. Sometimes things didn't make sense in the Titans Tower.

Robin was not awake yet, surprisingly. He was usually the first one up. Instead, Raven shrugged and went about making her herbal tea. She paused when she noticed the TV still on. She believed she would scream if she saw Beast Boy. He was always leaving the TV on. She stopped in front of the sofa. Where was that remote? Turning, she let out a startled gasp. It was Faren…and the remote was in her hands. She was curled up in a ball, a black blanket draped over her. Raven smiled. The goth was starting to enjoy the girl's company.

The girl stirred and yawned. Raven summoned the remote and turned the TV off. "Hi, Raven," she greeted as she yawned again. "What time is it?"

"Shortly after eight," Raven replied. "Want some tea?"

Faren shook her head. "Thanks, but I'll make myself some coffee." Raven nodded and allowed Fae to follow her to the kitchen. As Raven poured her tea into a cup, Faren looked around curiously. "Where's Robin?"

Raven shrugged. "I don't know. He's normally the first one up."

The other trickled in…all except Robin and Starfire. No one noticed except the girls. They each shared a look of interest, but said nothing. The truth or dare had helped Raven understand a little of what was going on when they disappeared. Perhaps that wasn't a good thing. Beast Boy raced Cyborg to the sofa to play videogames, but Kid Flash was there first.

"No fair!" Beast Boy whined.

"I could be in Singapore and it wouldn't be fair," Kid Flash said.

"He's got a point, BB," Cyborg stated. His eye caught a black cloth on the sofa. He lifted it carefully, "Who's cape?"

Raven looked at Faren, who sat at the table putting creamer into her coffee. Faren caught her gaze and glanced at the cape in question. "Is that what was on me this morning?" Raven nodded. "I don't know where it came from. You're saying it's a cape?"

Cyborg nodded. Holding it out, a smirk appeared on his face. Tossing the cape to her, he said, "Yeah. You should keep it, since it doesn't seem to belong to any of us."

The boys were completely lost in videogames when Robin and Starfire emerged. The girls eyed them knowingly, but went back to what they were doing. Raven had learned that Faren was what people call a mage, or a good witch. Raven had read about them on Azarath, but knew how rare they really were.

"Maybe you could teach me some stuff?" Jinx asked. "I've always wanted to learn some potions."

Faren shrugged . "Sure. I'd have to get some more ingredients, but I can teach you some simple stuff."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Would it be useful?"

Faren nodded. "Most potions are useful in some way or another. You want some lessons, too?"

A blush in slight embarrassment formed on her face. That wasn't her intent originally, but Raven nodded. It would be helpful, she supposed. Besides, Raven had seen how easily Bumblebee had come back from unconsciousness. As Faren left for town, Raven looked towards Robin and Starfire. He was allowing her to cook for him, which she knew he was only humoring the alien. No one cared for Starfire's cooking. Raven still had nightmares about the last meal she made. It was this jelly substance with sprinkles and zorka berries. The berries were the only good things in the dish, and even those were disgusting.

Faren had gotten to know Jump City well. The park was her favorite place. Not only did it have the best herbs, but it was beautiful. There was a secluded willow by the water. Underneath the myriad of leaves that hung to the ground, her favorite herb grew. She rarely used it, but it was a great herb for potions, not to mention cooking. She started picking the mint. The smell was intoxicating.

A ball hit her head. Faren picked it up and looked around, an angry gleam in her eye. A little girl ran up to her and apologized. "I am sorry, miss. My brother and I were playing and I threw it too hard," she explained. Her long blond hair was in two pigtails and she wore a soccer uniform. The girl looked about ten years old. "Please forgive me."

Faren smiled at her and handed her the ball. "Here. Just take it easy there, okay?"

The girl nodded and ran off. A laugh made Faren turn in surprise. What she saw was a young man, presumably in his early twenties. Was he laughing at her? The young heroine frowned. He was drop-dead gorgeous. His tall frame coupled with a muscular build that his clothes failed to hide made Faren's stomach flutter. That scruffy, dark brown hair that framed his face contrasted breathtakingly with his ice blue eyes. He was leaning against a sturdy oak tree, nonchalantly crossing his arms. The lilt of his laughter made her toes curl in delight.

That was ridiculous! Why did his laugh make her want to prove that she wasn't a joke? He stopped laughing and looked at her. His smirk held arrogance, but good humor. And those stunning eyes! The young man must have known how hypnotizing they were because he winked at her.

Faren glared at him. She suddenly didn't care that he was gorgeous and her nerves stretched to where it seemed they would snap. "What do you find so humorous, Scruffy?"

He blinked at her. "Scruffy? Now that's a way to get a guy's attention," he stated sarcastically.

"Just answer the question."

The young man ignored her. Instead, he lifted himself from the tree and walked up to her. He was a good eight to ten inches taller than her, but that did not intimidate her. "Ease up," he ordered playfully. "I wasn't laughing at you, just the girl, Flower Girl."

"Flower Girl? Do I look like I'm a child in a wedding ceremony?"

"No, but you were picking something. I assumed they were flowers," he said in a bored tone. His eyes looked directly at hers at that moment. "Besides, I thought it would be closer to the truth than 'Woman,' don't you think?" Faren was speechless. How could this guy do that just by joking with her? "What's your name, anyway?"

Faren crossed her arms and frowned. "You first, Scruffy."

The man laughed again. "You guessed it, Princess."

"Princess?" she scoffed. "Don't you guys have any imagination."

"Well, I can't call you Flower Girl, and the only other thing that comes to mind is 'Sunshine,' but that doesn't fit either." He smirked again. "If you told me your name, I wouldn't have an off-the-wall nickname."

That arrogant smirk had to go. Faren decided that two could play that game. "And I would still call you 'Scruffy.' At least I came up with a nickname based on your looks rather than common names for the opposite sex like a chauvinistic pig." She added a smirk herself. "But maybe I should call you 'Clumsy' instead. It goes better with you."

That caught his attention. "Clumsy?"

"Yeah. Something has to get you off that high pedestal you have yourself on."

He got closer to her, making her want to back up, but her pride wouldn't let her. One of his hands sneaked its way to the small of her back, the other just a little higher. She was in too much shock to do anything but stare at him. "I'd be glad to let you do it any time," he said tantalizingly.

Faren gasped in shock. How dare he! She pushed her magic between them and threw them both back several feet. He chuckled. The act didn't even faze him. She wasn't known in this town, was she? She shook her head. She had been fighting with the Titans for three weeks. Of course, the people would know about her and Robyn by now. It always surprised her to have the press around, plus the annoyance of seeing her face plastered somewhere.

"Feisty? Or are you just showing off?"

What arrogance! "You shaggy, unkempt, arrogant mother fucker!"

He shook her head. "Tsk, tsk. There are children around here."

"Look around. None within earshot."

"I'm looking at one, a very beautiful and robust girl," he stated.

Faren put her hands on her hips. "I am not a child!"

"Prove it."

"Huh?"

"Prove it," he repeated.

"I don't have to prove anything to you," she replied as she turned her back to him.

As Faren began to walk away, the man stared after her. "That was either pride or fear. Maybe a mix of both?"

Faren stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "Pride, definitely. I don't have to do anything for you."

The man started walking toward her again. She faced him. "Well, that is true. However, you could let go of your pride for just a moment."

"Why? So you can try to mess around with a magician for kicks?" she scoffed. "I'm not stupid. Guys like you pick up and let go. It's not worth my time."

"And how would you know?" he asked in a sly tone. "You haven't seen the merchandise." He was too close for comfort, but Faren's damned pride refused to allow her to leave. Besides, she would have too much fun with the next thing she said.

"What merchandise? All I can see is that bulging head of yours. Nothing but hot air and a pump." A little more bitterness was in her tone than she intended.

The man's eyes widened. "No pump here, Princess." He lifted a hand to caress her cheek. She tried to move the soft gesture away, but he took her hand and kissed it gently. Before she could pull away ,the caressing hand moved to the back of her head. He pulled her to him and kissed her lips. It lingered. He had his eyes closed and he nibbled at her lips to probe them open. Her eyelids drooped slowly and she allowed him passage into her mouth. He took the opportunity to deepen this ecstasy. A tongue shot out and wrestled with hers. She felt weak-kneed, but pure adrenaline kept her standing, wanting more. Who knew kissing a stranger would be so rejuvenating? His embrace tightened. Faren vaguely felt a hand roam from her neck to her back, the other from her back to her side.

All too soon, he broke the kiss, but kept her enclosed in his arms. "Now that was no child." That smirk was back on his face.

"Faren," she breathed.

"Hm?"

"My name Is Faren."

He seemed to think that over. "Faren," he repeated, as if to test it out. He genuinely smiled. "I like that."

"Jake!" yelled an old woman.

The man cringed and let go of her. Faren mourned his departure for a moment. "Yes, Grandma?"

"Time to go!" she replied loudly. "I have Bingo tonight!"

"Jake, huh?" Faren wondered aloud.

"Like it?" Arrogance seemed to never leave him.

"No, can't say that I do," she stated, her former frustration returned. "And next time you maul someone, try not to be so clumsy." With that, she formed her blue orb and left as quick as she could. How could she let that happen? Most likely, she would never see him again. He had reawakened the fire she had buried deep inside her a long time ago. That door needed to remain shut.

Slade looked out at all of his robotic minions, the muscle that did the super villains bidding. He had to admit, it most certainly felt good to be back. His next mission was of grave importance. All of the planning had to be perfect. Nothing could go wrong.

The same teenage girl with blond hair walked up to Slade. She stood next to him and looked at what he was staring at. A twisted smiled formed on her lips.

"The guards will switch at midnight," she stated. Slade nodded his head. "And the escape route has been established," she added. "The jail will be easier to break in than to get back out."

"Yes, Rose, but we can't forget what we're after," Slade responded.

Rose's eyes widened and she quickly lowered her head. "I would never forget that," she muttered.

Slade turned around and faced the teenager. Slowly, he grabbed her chin and lifted up for her to look at him. The oufits they both wore were near identical. Hers was only more feminine. "I expected you wouldn't."

A half-smile appeared on her face. "Do you think we'll find him?" she asked.

"There's only one way to find out," he answered.

Author's Note: Sorry about the really late update.

So...What's Slade up to now? And who is this Rose?

And this Jake? How is he going to tie into everything?

I will post the next chapter as soon as I get more reviews.