She walked out to the jeep and hopped in. "Did you miss work because of me?" She asked softly.

"Yeah I called in. " he said starting the car never taking his hand from her. He wondered what all this meant. But maybe it was better he was in the dark. He drove carefully to the store. "It was no big they were over staffed today anyways. "

"I'm sorry." She whispered as she sank into the seat. "You hear from Vic today?" She asked they parked. She let go of his hand and unbuckled her seat belt. "So what do we need?"

"Yeah, he's being a social butterfly. Don't worry about me missing work I'm having a much better day with you. "He got out and walked into the store. "Any and all vegetables you like doll. We'll start there. "

Rachael picked up a bunch of sacks and picked up green peppers. She moved along placing items into her basket as he whistled a cheerful note in her ear. She pick out snow peas, onions, cabbage, watercress, leeks, and mushrooms. She smiled as she looked at her basket. "Anything else?"

"Do you want rice or noodles? " he asked his basket has the tofu and other random spieces. He smiled at her as he moved along. He truly enjoyed the time the two of them spent alone. Even if he missed his best friend, who let's face it had forgotten either of them existed.

"Rice." She smiled as she walked down the drink isle. Picking up her favorite whine, moving down to the check out and began placing her items onto the belt.

...

The pair returned back to the apartment, Rachael drew back the blinds slipped her ring off her finger humming softly. She unloaded the groceries and then washed her hands. "Okay I'm ready." She announced eyeing Logan.

He followed her lead, he set his ring on top of hers. He got down a cutting board and knife. He started the rice, adding garlic and spices to the water before covering it. "Two parts liquid to one part rice every time. 15 minutes boiling sit for five. "

He walked up behind her and put his arms around her. He was sure she could cut veggies by herself but liked the excuse to be close to her. "The key is to make everything the same size. And know how long each veggie cooks. Always start with onions and root vegetables they take the longest to soften." His big strong arms were wrapped over hers, his breath on her cheek.

Her body stiffened as she felt him move against her body. His warm breath hitting her skin made goosebumps moved down her body. She tried to focus but her emotions began chirping in her mind. Her hands shook a little as he helped her. As soon as finished the last chop she let go of the knife and stilled. Her eyes looked up to his. She turned the slightest and then caught them by surprise by kissing him softly.

This kiss was different. He slowly threaded his fingers through her violet locks as he cupped the side of her face. His lips were soft and gentle, it wasn't the need fueled over passionate kisses they normally shared. He was giving her in that moment a piece of his soul. His eyes closed, as his lips parted and his tongue touched her lips gently. His other hand rested on her hip as he let himself get lost in the moment. His love and happiness over powering all his other swirling emotions.

She took a deep breath as she had never experience a kiss like the one he was giving her. It made her head spin and silenced every single one of her emotions. She let him dip his tongue in her mouth. He tasted like water cool and refreshing. She let a quiet baby moan escape into his mouth. She seemed to only notice what his hands we're doing and how fast her heart was hammering against her ribs.

His heart raced with hers, he let his tongue rub into her's for just a moment before he pulled himself back from her to reach just one arm over and shake the rice to keep it from burning. His eyes never left hers. He couldn't help but wonder what he was to her. He didn't pull away as he rested his forehead on hers. He loved the fact he could taste her on his tongue and lips.

"You make me feel funny." She mumbled as her eye bounced back in forth watching his emeralds. "I don't know how to even describe it. It's not anything I've ever felt before."

"You make me feel alive in a way I didn't know possible. So I'd say we're even." he schooled brightly at her. He kissed her nose before throwing the onions in the pan sad he had to step away from her but knowing they both needed food.

She took the lead stirring the onions in the pan. It wasn't until the apartment started to smell like utter heaven. Her mouth watered as he added more veggies into the pan.

He smiled watching her. "You almost look like your having fun. " he said adding the tofu and shutting off the rice. It wasn't long before he handed her a bowl of her hard earned dinner. "You did great."

"You did most of the work." She remarked raising her brow. She moved and grabbed her bowl. She grabbed a fork and placed the first bite into her mouth. She softly hmm in satisfaction. It tasted like heaven to her. She shifted and moved to the couch.

He sat next to her folding his legs under himself in the same position played video games in. He ate with a smile. "But you took the time to learn." He leaned back into the couch praying the food would rid him off his headache.

She looked at him and smiled. "This is by far the best meal I've ever had," She looked down at her food "although it could be because it the first thing I've eaten in 24 hours." She mused. Her powers flipped on the television as she chewed quietly. "Want to watch a movie?"

"Sure a movie sounds great " he closed his eyes for a minute before rubbing them with his fingers. He opened them back up as he finished his food setting the bowl in the coffee table.

She was watching him out of the corner of her eye. She announced that he should pick the movie. She picked up his dish and put it in the sink. She came back with two glasses of white wine. "This place doesn't have flukes. Imagine that." She handed him the glass and took a small sip of hers. "Your head hurts huh?" She grabbed a small throw blanket off her bed and returned to him.

"Yeah, I've had a slight headache all week. Today is just throbbing. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow." he smiled taking a sip of the whine. His eyes on hers as he moved closer to her. "How's the new bed by the way? "

She frowned a little bit not liking his constant headache. "Is it because you haven't been able to change?" She placed the blanket over them and then she snuggled into his side almost if it was hers to claim. She shifted "it's like sleeping on a cloud. Thank you."

"That's my guess. My entire body aches. I can feel my bones stiffening. ." he relaxed at her touch. This to him was just as bizarre but all of it was. He was sure he'd wake up and find it was all a terribly confusing dream. He played with her hair almost absent minded. His fingers were soft and gentle. He took another sip of whine. His shoulders strong and straight, a slight bit of forest green five o'clock shadow visible on his well defined chin.

She softly focused her powers and touched his forehead. Healing it to dull ache she looked at him. Unable to stop herself she place a kiss to his stumbled chin. "What did you pick?" she asked turning her attention back on to the television. Her fingers traced the rim of her glass.

"I'm stuck between this new horror movie and a comedy of sorts. " he said flipping between the two. Either one made him feel like this was an unofficial a date. He smiled. "Thanks Rae, I feel better" he rolled his neck a bit enjoying feeling like he could truly move again.

"You might want to take a day and just go full animal. It would help you. Let's do the comedy." She spoke softly pressing into his side. She was determined to get comfortable.

He pushed play as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a more comfortable place. "I wonder if I wear the ring if I could pass as a golden retriever. Maybe tomorrow you can take me for a walk." He said with a wink. He cuddle into her breathing in her scent happy and contented.

"You're funny." She murmured and took a deep breath of his body. He put on the movie and the two of them curled up together. It wasn't long before Raven locked herself into his embrace and let the happy carefree feeling seep into her soul. She nodded off a few times then woke up to him chuckling softly. She mumbled softly and pressed her hand to his chest falling back asleep.

The show was nearly over and the front door began to jiggle before Vic walked in. He sat his keys down and raise his eyes at his two friends. "Uh hey?" He asked than more greeted.

"Oh look Rae he lives." he said slightly annoyed. He didn't pull away from her as he looked at their friend. He was hoping to hear some great story or at least what he'd learned.

Raven stirred awake yawning as she when. She took a deep breath and looked up at her friend. "Vic? Where have you been? Gar you can call off the search teams."

Vic face blushed as he looked at them "sorry I crashed at Vy's last night." He mumbled before looking at them "what's going on with you two?"

"You crashed at Vy's?" He asked ignoring the second thing he said. "It's like 7:30 at night man what the hell where you doing?" he asked curiously watching him.

"Well getting to know her..." He trailed off scratching the back of his head. "She isn't what we assumed, she not a villain she a hero of sorts, or at least from what I can get from her. She trying to help people like us. She staring an underground project. I think this is exactly what Rob was talking about in the mission call."

"So how did you win her trust?" Raven asked resting her arms on her knees, turning her head towards Gar.

"Just kept pestering her. She eventually couldn't resist my charm." He smirk. He grabbed his tablet and began typing on it. "What's going on with you two love birds?" He could see how calm Beast Boy seemed to be which left much to wonder on what happened between the two.

Raven whole face seemed to darken as she looked at the ground. "We were just watching a movie Cy."

"Yeah all curled up. How precious." Cy mocked flipping the TV off and sitting down next to them.

In the back of Ravens mind she could help but feel like she had been caught red handed doing something foolish. Why it bothered her that her big brother was poking fun only made her realized that she was indulging a little top much. She mumbled the words excuse me and walked away into her bedroom.

Gar sighed and shifted his head falling back. "Thanks Cy, and here I thought I was making progress." He cursed under his breath. His mind was racing. "Does she know who we are?"

"No I haven't done anything because I want to talk to Rob first." He handed the tablet to Gar and pointed "look this is the secret tunnel Vy been working on. When the time comes she going to get a huge group of super hero's and have a giant meeting. Now I know what your thinking but I have no clue what the meeting is about. I just know she's really interested in getting people and she's been looking into the kid from her biology class, Hayden? No Hunter."

This made the Changeling growled. "That's the fucking prick that has been all over Rae." he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "Did you spend the night in her bed?" asking a bolder question.

"Has Rae noticed anything strange about him?" He looked towards the close door. "And no I didn't. She has a upscale house I crashed on the spare bed." He raised his brow. "Did something go down with you two?" He questioned

"She likes him. And just more Of the same." He yawned as he stood up. "I guess I should go to sleep. ."

"B." Came Vic's strong voice. "You're avoiding my question." He remarked. "You should just tell me so I don't go looking for other explanations from others." He looked at the close door before looking back at him.

He stopped running his hand through his hair. "She had a rough night let her rest. .. I don't really know the answer. . She hasn't figured out what she wants I think. " he said with a nervous blush.

Vic stomach suddenly heaved a bit. "Oh my god." He murmured his hand covering his mouth. "You two did it. Didn't you?" He accused "You can't hide it from me b.' He began shaking his head. "God I hope you know what your doing." He spoke then he gathered his stuff and headed towards his room.

Gar sighed as he walked to his room. "Hell if I know anything any more." He watched his friend leave before going to bed himself.

An hour later one would only guess why but a certain empath was quietly knocking on her... Her ... What was he now?

Friend
Lover
Teammate

She stilled as she waited for Gar to answer.

Gar opened his door, he was just in boxers with his green glory. "Rae?" He asked groggily stepping aside to let her in.

She mumbled apologies as she stepped through the threshold of his room. Her smell still seemed to linger in the air as she looked at the bed. Images of how she looked under him as he fucked her suddenly played in her mind making shudder. "I'll be quick I just wanted to thank you for today." Her cheeks softly pink. "You missed work and you had a headache all day just to to make sure I was okay."

"You're worth it Rae. I enjoyed spending the day with you." He sat on the edge of his bed with a small yawn. He leaning on his arms, he realized his drawing were out. Including one of her as his "goddess".

Her eyes seemed to instantly draw to that particular spot. Acting quickly she picked up the drawing and her eyes glimmered as she studied it after a long while she mumbled. "Is this me?" She held out the paper knowing he didn't have to see it to answer her.

Gar was glad he was still green as his face felt like it was on fire. He hoped she wasn't mad, he swallowed his pride. "Yes, sorry I'm not good enough to really do you justice. ." he ran a hand through his hair. To him she was always beautiful so turning her into a goddess in a flowing dress was easy.

She held it carefully as she stared at fine lines. She looked up at him and sighed. "You really do love me don't you?"

"Yes I do. " he looked at her with a small smile. Rubbing the back of his head.

Her eyes glistened in that moment she felt like she was the actual devil. "I'm so sorry I'm stringing you along." She whispered. Her hands shaking as she placed the drawing back on the desk. "You deserve someone who can love you like you love me." She whisper tears flooding her eye lids.

He stood up and hugged her gently. "I don't want them Rae. All I want is you to be happy. " his words were true. He didn't care about himself just her.

She leaned up and kissed him soft trying to be just as sincere as he had been in the kitchen. Her mouth was soft and sweet like honey.

Gar smiled into the kiss as he held her close to his body. This just made him more confused on what they really were. But now wasn't the time to ask.

"I want you to be happy. So happy." She whispered just inches from his mouth. She turned and walked to the door. "I'm sorry."

Gar knew there would be no sleep for him tonight. He watched her leave before grabbing his things for a run. She always turned his world upside down. Even after the run his mind was clouded with her. He then poured himself a drink. He was glad he didn't work Sundays.

Rachael made her self scarce the next day. She talked briefly to Vic and came to the conclusion she would unfortunately have to suck it up and call Hunter. She asked him to help her study at the library. She grabbed her books desperately trying focus on the text instead the images her mind wanted to play instead.

Hunter smiled at her as he was helping her with her homework. "So there is a film festival next weekend. . I was wondering if you'd come with me? My dad has a summer home in the town it's in. It's only a two hour drive. .."

Gar was playing a video game and drinking jack and cokes. His mind was spinning.

Raven was scribbling down a complicated problem. She was cursing herself for sleeping a day away not spending more time on her ever growing math assignments. She hadn't been listening for the last ten minutes her brain felt complete mush. "Sure." She answered not even realizing what she was agreeing to.

Vic walked into the room and noticed solemn mood around the room and his friend. "Well I see the honeymoon stage is over.." he joked trying to lighten the mood. "Need another player?"

He smiled as he watched her and her problem. "Do the same thing to both sides. You're making it unbalanced." He took her pencil and helped her write it out. "I'm so excited we'll make a weekend of it. "

He tossed him a controller without looking. "I feel like I'm saving her but loosing myself." He replied as he shot some alien thing.

"Thank you." She mumbled eyeing her problem. "Two down, 16 left to go." She groaned grabbing the pencil back.

Vic frowned as he press start as the screen split showing player two as entered the game. A giant oozing alien charges right at him. "Shit." Vic cursed he pulled out his AK-47 and shot the thing right in the head. Blood and guts splattered on the screen as the character grunted in annoyance. "I've fought monsters prettier than you." He mumbled pressing forwards button. "I'll talk to her man."

Hunter was polite, helpful and by the time she had four problems left, he had her understanding how they were done.

Gar shrugged his cut through a wall of enemies, he brushed blond hair out of his eyes. "She's just doing the job, and I have a feeling I'm just part of it. Someone she's clung to while we're here. Vic what can you really say?" He was focused. "You like Vy or playing the role?"

"Oh god thank you I owe you." She remarked finishing the last problem.

Vic shrugged his shoulders his fingers rapidly pressing the buttons to keep his player fighting . "Well I could tell her to back off." he offered "I don't like the funk she put you in." He laughed slightly as he came face to face with a boss. "Vy is completely confusing and hard to understand. I like her as a person but I'm on mission so I'm playing it up."

"I'm sure you'll think of a way to thank me next weekend beautiful." He leaned into his chair.

"I would rather her keep coming to me. Something tells me this what she needs." he looked to him with a raised eye brow. "How far you going to let it go? "

"Wait what?" She asked as she looked at him.

"Well then I'm sleeping with "enemy" man." He shot his final shot and watched the boss dramatically die on his portion of the screen.

"For the film festival. .." he sighed. "You weren't listening were you? " he looked defeated.

Logan chuckled pushing forward still. "So you are sleeping with her?" He joked as he sighed.

"No, I'm sorry." She admitted she placed a hand on his shoulder. Her conversation with Cyborg brought to her mind, and her mission. Feeling defeated she sighed, "I'll go sounds nice relaxing." Her heart bounced as she thought about Gar at home stewing about her and Hunter.

"Man..." Vic shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind a chance for a little piece of ass but I couldn't do that with her. It's wrong." His tongue dipped out of his mouth as he moved around a dark corner any second an alien was bound to jump out. "In all seriousness man, I know you love Rae and she like my sister but as your best man I got to know... Is she how you thought she be?"

Hunter smiled. "I'll pick you up after class Friday and we'll go straight there. I'll bring you home Sunday." He went back to his book.

Logan smiled. "You're a good man Vic. " he was snipping aliens. "Better. She's the most amazing women I've ever been with. And that's all you get."

Rachael nodded but her stomach was churning. She was nervous as what would happen once Gar found out. She tossed her math book aside and grabbed her notes for biology.

Vic couldn't help but grin at his friend. At the very least Raven had let him have her body which as a guy he knew was the one thing Gar had always wanted. "That's awesome man."

He was working on biology as well. He talked over noted before asking. "So what was the deal with yesterday? "

Logan shrugged. "I feel guilty about it. I've never been with somebody without being with them. . You know?"

"What do you mean?" She responded softly. Writing into the margins of her notes.

Vic sighed "well you pretty much love her so in a way you're sort of with her. Rae isn't dumb and the fact that she even let you says a lot... " he sighed as his character got its head eaten. GAME OVER moved across the screen. "I understand you frustration. Bee and I didn't work because of that very reason."

"It was like you fell off the face of the earth. I was worried. I almost drove to your place to check on you. " there was honesty in his voice.

"Lack of communication?" He let himself get eaten and put down his controller. He did love Rae and would die for her. But he was suffering and he hated knowing his friend had felt the same. "This Vy girl. I don't think she's human. It makes me wonder if she knows who we are. If I can smell her maybe she can us. But I don't feel threatened by her. " he took another drink. "Maybe after we come clean you could still hit her up." he said with a shrug.

Raven suddenly was so glad she went shopping with Logan. She shrugged "sorry I miss placed my phone." She lied. "I didn't mean to make you worry."

Vic raised his eyebrow and his drink. "A new habit of yours?"

"Just making sure your not mad at me or something." he kissed the back of her hand.

Logan shook his head. "I wouldn't call it a habit. I Just didn't sleep last night. I'm trying to make my brain shut off so I can." He said like it made all the sense in the world.

"I'm not mad at all."

Vic didn't say anything else about the conversation and suggested they order pizza, guy's day in.

...

The next four days when by painfully slow. Raven avoided Gar and really tried to focus on why Vy was so interested in Hunter. She was usually able to get a good reading on people and as far as Hunter was concern the only thing that was on his mind was her.

She came home Wednesday night exhausted but hungry she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of tea and a pear. She needed rest and meditation and even that seemed like an impossible feat. Her mind was always racing from Hunter to Gar.

Logan had the day off and he was thanking whatever God would listen. He got out of his late class and came home shortly after her. He shut the door and all the blinds he was on a mission. He then took a deep breath and started the shift it brought him to his knees. Loud cracks and creaks filled the room as his bones fraught with him. He just winced keeping back the pained yip. He was then as expected a golden retrieve. He slowly stretched in his new forum as he trotted around the apartment.

Raven turned hearing an interesting noise. Small smile graced her mouth as she looked down at him. "Feels good doesn't?" She began hovering two inches off the floor her powers felt weird like they had been tossed in the dryer. Dry and a bit too tight under her skin. "I think you said something about a walk?" She replied looking around for something to tie him up with.

He walked around her legs brushing into them. A soft smile in his eyes. He went over to the bag he'd brought home with him. He had bought a leash and collar. He sat in front of it his tail wagging. He didn't feel like talking his jaw hurt like all his other joints.

She was glad he wasn't talking. Somehow it was easier this way. To think of him as an actual dog. She moved forward grab his collar putting it on him. Then she attached the leash. "I'm grabbing my keys and changing my pants then we will go."

She returned minutes later her dark hair in a pony tail. She picked up his leash and walked to the front door.

He trotted along with her, he was taking everything in. This was easier for him to, he was a mess, himself lately. The dreams of her were keeping him awake most nights. He walked with her never straying far.

Rachael love the quiet walk it was exactly what she needed. So it was hard after an hour when she turned back into the apartment complex. Her stomach growled as she forgot her pear on the counter. "Come on." She called as he sniffed a street lamp.

He quickly caught up with her and went into the apartment waiting for some water. He curled up on the floor his head on his tail.

She placed a bowl of water for him and took a large bite of her fruit. She sighed softly looking down at the dog. "You're going to hate me." She whispered chewing carefully.

He raised his eye brow up at her as he took a slow drink. He willed her to continue. Even as he thought he could never hate her.

She rubbed her left hand down his fur. "I'm not going be around this weekend." She replied softly avoiding his dog eyes.

He wined a bit looking at her, his ears dropped he could tell where this is going. He took a deep breath and laid his head softly of the floor. All he could do was accept her choice. She was an adult.

She frowned removing her hand from his coat. It hit her like a ton of bricks, all the pend up emotion coursing through her veins. "This is why I'm no good for you. I'm slowly killing you and I feel like shit for it." She spilled out. Her eyes feeling with tears. There came a sound of dishes breaking from a surge of power.

He shifted the fasted he had in his life shielding her from any flying glass. He took a deep breath. "You're not doing anything Rae." he didn't move from holding her. "I just have to learn to deal with it." he said slowly letting her go to clean up the mess.

"Just stop." She bit looking at him. "You must think I'm just naive but I'm not. I can fucking see what I'm doing to your soul. I'm tearing you apart. And instead of getting mad you just keep doing this." Her anger tone falling her hands dropped to the side. "You don't have enough love for the both of us." Hot tears poured down her cheeks as her hands formed small fists.

"I can't stop. I can't help how I feel. " he replied continuing to pick up broken glass. He couldn't look at her knowing he was why she was crying. He held in his own tears.

Her appetite flew out the window in that moment and left her with brick in her stomach. She bit her cheek until the bitter taste of her blood moved across her tongue. She moved forward pushing his shoulder. "Get up!" She barked then she pushed him again.

He stood up and looked to her. He took a deep breath steadying himself and his emotions. He let her push him not wanting to hurt her.

Unable to stop herself she began using him like a punching bag. They started out as hits with the Palm of her hands then they turned into balled fist. "Why are you so Damn stubborn?!" She yelled. Angry at herself, and for being here with him. This wasn't suppose to happen.

Smack

"I'm a fucking mess who would want that?"

Wack.

"I'm foolish and I can't figure out love no matter how hard I try." She stopped as her fist stilled on his chest.

He didn't pull from each hit. "Because you're wonderful. You're kind, and strong, gentle at most times. " he said something he felt true with each hit. He knew he'd have bruises in the morning.

She rested her head on his chest. Breathing deeply his scent flooded her and she sank. Her knees gave out on her forcing him to hold up. "Why don't you hit me back. I hit you so hard." She mumbled.

He held her up in his strong arms. He looked into her eyes. "I have no reason to hit you." he took a deep breath.

"Beast would hit me. And you should hit me I deserve it." She whispered.

"Why do you feel you deserve it? " he asked shrugging off the beast comment. Truth was beast would have bent her over the counter and had his way with her.

"I told you why, because I'll I do is hurt everything and everyone that gets close to me." She answered her eyes closed now. Why couldn't she handle her damn emotions?

He lifted her into his arms and carried her towards her room. He knew she needed to meditation and sleep and he didn't trust himself to take her to his room.

She buried her face into the crook of his tan neck. She pressing her nose and lips to his skin, she breathed deeply her body involuntary sank. Her muscles fell as her arm draped down his back.

Logan nudged open her door. "Want me to stay or let you be? " he asked carefully moving over to her bed. There was no anger in his voice, just the same kind hearten compassion there always was.

She wrapped her arms tighter around His neck her body suddenly felt so exhausted. "Please stay with me." She whispered too tired to even lift her head of his neck. Her breath warm as it licked across his skin.

He nodded as he laid them both down on her new bed. He just ran his fingers through her hair as his own eyes closed. Maybe tonight the nightmares wouldn't come.

She snuggled up closer than she ever had before. This was lust or even love, just pure unadulterated need for human contact. His touch. She sighed as her lips kissed his collar bone. She kept whispering sorry under breath as sleep finally took over her body.

He spent the entire night holding her tight in his arms. He was sleeping peacefully for once when she woke up. He had laid perfectly still the whole night. His chest rose and feel in slow motion.