Chapter 7

It had been well over five years since she'd been to the movies. Often, when she got the urge to watch any movie at all, she'd wait until she could view it in the comfort of the tower. It was better than being dragged out by Starfire or Beast Boy who would always make a scene, though usually unintentionally, and having to block out the emotions of dozens of strangers surrounding her. But now she was more mature and more in control, as was he, so she was looking forward to this little date of theirs. Date. She was still blushing at the idea of this possibly being a date. But she wasn't put off by the idea. And apparently neither was he.

They pulled up in front of the theater and drove for about a block before finding a place to park. Her arms had gone stiff she'd been holding onto the changeling so tightly. She wasn't used to riding on the back of motorcycles and Beast Boy's handling of the machine only heightened her fright. He drove a bit too fast for her taste and though she knew she could always protect the both of them if an accident was to occur that didn't stop her from being a bit anxious.

"Wow, it still looks the same," he smiled, turning off the machine. "I hate it when everything changes." He could still feel her arms around him and, as much as he enjoyed her grasp, he was pretty sure she wasn't doing it voluntarily. "Can you let go or are you stuck?"

"I'm fine I just…" She tried to unlock her joints but found it difficult. It was partially due to the adrenaline leaving her body and partly, to her surprise, due to her enjoying the feel of him. His musk still rattled her.

"Don't worry, this happens to a lot of people the first time they ride," he chuckled and gently pried her hands off of him. Once she'd released him he helped her off the bike and they removed their helmets. He actually laughed at the sight of her hair, all flat and yet kinked. "So does that."

She smoothed her hair down and said, "We should have come at night. People are going to recognize us in the middle of the day." She opened a portal and slipped the helmets inside. It was easier than carrying them around, after all.

"So what? Just smile and keep walking," he said, heading towards the theater.

"You may be used to this but I haven't had to deal with fans in a long time," she said.

"Rae-Rae, we're going to see a matinee of a movie that's been out for over a month," he said. "There aren't going to be a lot of people around to gawk at us. And even if there are I'll take care of them. So don't worry your pretty little head."

"Please don't call me Rae-Rae," she begged. "And you can ease up on the flirting. You've already managed to get my knees to buckle and get a date out of me."

He couldn't believe she'd called it a date. When he'd said their outing would be a date it had been an honest slip of the tongue. But she hadn't corrected him and instead had agreed, albeit awkwardly, and then left for home. So if she was calling this a date then a date it was. And he was thrilled. "Sorry, I've been flirting with you for so long it just feels natural now. I think my hobby's turned into a habit."

"After two weeks?" she asked.

"Looks like it," he smirked. "Wanna hold hands?"

"Now you're teasing me," she accused.

"Tease, flirt, tease, flirt, that's how it's gonna be between us from now on," he declared and held his hand out to her. "Better get used to it, sweetie pie."

She rolled her eyes but after a moment did take his hand. This was a date after all and their feelings, as far as she could see, were mutual; just not confessed as of yet. And it would be pointless to act indifferent or put off by the idea of being close to him. She just hoped he'd be mature enough not to make a scene. "For the record, I don't like any of these pet names you've been giving me."

He was genuinely shocked that she'd actually accepted his offering of slight intimacy. And though he nearly opened his big mouth to make a joke about whether or not she was really herself he managed to catch himself in time. If he ever wanted to hold her hand again it was best to play this off as though it weren't a big deal and that he wasn't going to tease her about it. "Alright, what would you like to be called?"

"My name."

"Sorry, invalid suggestion. Try again."

"I don't know."

"Guess I'll just have to keep trying some out until I find one you like. Looks like I've found my new hobby."

They made it to the theater and quickly bought their tickets before they could be spotted. He went about buying snacks while she found them seats. Luckily there weren't many people inside and once she sat down she relaxed. He was a while getting all of the junk food but luckily joined her seconds before the lights dimmed.

"What took you so long?" she whispered, taking her popcorn and drink from him.

"I had to sign a few autographs," he replied casually. "Don't worry, I didn't mention that you were here."

"I don't mind you mentioning me, just don't tell them where I am," she said and sipped her soda.

"Noted," he nodded, munching on some nachos.

The movie began and meandered through the introduction and plot. He was confused within seventeen minutes and wondering what the running time was. He glanced over and saw that she was paying close attention. He didn't doubt that she knew what was going on. And he smiled, once again blown away by her intellect. He carefully reached over and touched her hand.

"Don't push it," she warned with a smirk that was illuminated by the light of the film.

"Gotcha," he chuckled and backed off. Instead he spent the film nudging her knee with his. And, three times, he felt her nudge him back.

As the credits rolled and the theater brightened he quickly stood and gave a great stretch. "Well that was weird. Definitely not what I was expecting."

"I liked it," she said, stretching as well and standing up. "If more films were like that I'd go to the movies more often."

"Guess I'll have to be on the lookout then," he said and gathered up all of his rubbish. "You wanna head home or do something else?"

"I think we should go home," she sighed. "Dick and Kori must be back by now and I'm sure they're dying to tell us the results."

"Ugh, okay," he wrinkled his nose. "Personally I'm sick of this baby crap. All Kori talks about is baby this and baby that. Dick better knock her up soon or I'm gonna lose it."

"How do you think I feel? I'm the one she corners and talks about it the most to," she replied. "And unfortunately things are only going to get worse. If she doesn't get pregnant we'll never hear the end of it and if she does we'll never hear the end of it."

He groaned dramatically. "Why couldn't they have waited until next year when we're disbanded again?"

They eventually made it back to the tower and saw that Nightwing's vehicle was in the garage, which meant he and Starfire were back from their appointment. As Raven dismounted the bike she was instantly overwhelmed by the oppressive emotions filling the tower's atmosphere. She grabbed on to him to keep herself from collapsing to the ground, something that alarmed him. "Uh oh," she breathed.

"What?" he asked. "Are you okay?"

"They didn't get good news," she said with confidence and began to identify every emotion filling the air. "Depression… disappointment… hostility… grief…" A wave of anguish washed over her so strongly that it brought tears to her eyes. She tried to fight it off but it was of no use. She began to all out weep. "Oh no. Damn it, Kori! Why do her emotions have to be so strong?" This was true enough. Starfire's emotions were many times stronger than that of the average human's. So even though Raven had achieved nearly complete control over her empathic abilities she was helpless against the alien's emotional output in times like these.

Seeing her possessed by another's emotions unnerved him and he quickly took both of her hands in his. "Come on, breathe. You can push her feelings out."

"I know, just give me a moment," she said, trying to regain control. "I'm trying to put my barriers back up."

"It's okay, take your time," he said softly, running his hands up and down her arms as a means to comfort and encourage her. He'd never seen her so upset and it was hard for him to remember that these weren't her emotions. His instincts urged him to help her nonetheless. "Why don't you feel what I'm feeling? Focus on me, just until you calm down."

She nodded through her tears and absorbed his emotions. The sorrow was replaced with a calm sense of contentment, affection. It was much easier realigning her emotional barricades when the feelings surrounding her were positive. But she could also feel his worry over her condition and that didn't help.

"I'll be fine," she assured him, though her breath continued to catch in her throat. "Please, just feel positive emotions. Think of a happy memory, fantasize about something, I don't care. The happier the better."

"Come here," he said, wrapping his arms around her, bringing her as close to himself as he could. He became lost in the feeling of her body and how it elated him. The fact that he could help her and be her support in a situation like this filled him with confidence and delight.

She soaked in his emotions and instantly felt relief. The sorrow cloaking the tower became obliterated by his rapture. She hesitantly moved her arms around him and returned his embrace. She matched her breathing with his and let herself become lost in the feel of his shirt against her skin, the heat of his body, the aroma of his cologne and natural scent. And in this way she was able to finally achieve a sense of peace. She focused and put her strongest mental walls up. She felt herself regain control and confidence that she could choose what she wished and didn't wish to feel. She took in one final deep breath then released her hold, moving away from him. He quickly let her go and took a step back as well.

"Thanks," she said, a little embarrassed but still grateful.

"Any time," he said with an honest, gentle smile. "You okay, now?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, wiping the last tears from her eyes and desperately wanting a tissue. "I'm sure I look awful but I'm feeling much better."

"I wouldn't say you look awful. Your eyes should be bloodshot more often, it really brings out the purple in them," he smiled.

She sighed but grinned nonetheless. "Well let's get up there and find out the details."

He offered her his hand and she took it without a word. They made it upstairs and decided to visit the common room first. Raven was weary about Starfire's presence but was relieved to see that the only person in the room was Cyborg. He was watching television while munching on a rather large sandwich he'd painstakingly assembled. The two approached him and sat down, releasing hands before he could see them.

"So how bad is it?" she asked.

"How bad is what?" asked Cyborg.

"Kori and Dick's prognosis," she clarified.

"Oh that," Cyborg said, uncomfortably. "How'd you know it was bad?"

"Cuz Raven turned into a crying mess when we got here," said Beast Boy. "So spill."

"Well there's good news, bad news, good news, and bad news," Cyborg explained. "The good news is that their genetics can work together, despite the fact that she's an alien. The bad news is that her reproductive system is ten times harsher than a human's, so Dick's guys have no chance of getting through. The good news is that they can do in vitro fertilization. The bad news is that Kori doesn't believe in technology helping to make babies. So now they're fighting about what to do and she's hysterical and he's mad and I'm getting the hell out of here as soon as I'm done with my snack. And I suggest you two do the same."

"Well that's not as bad as I'd thought," said Raven. "It could have been much worse. They're just going to have to calm down and talk this out."

"I don't know what they're going to do," said Cyborg. "She seems adamant about them continuing to try the natural way but he knows it's impossible but she won't listen to reason."

"Where are they?" asked Beast Boy, who wanted to avoid running into them if possible.

"I think she's in their room and he's down beating the shit out of a punching bag," said Cyborg, finishing his sandwich in one massive bite. "I'm gonna go drive around the city and look for something to do. Either of you want in?"

"No thanks, I'm going to go meditate," she said. "I need to strengthen my mental walls."

"Pass," said Beast Boy. "I'm gonna stay here and be her emotional support."

"You don't have to," she said. "I think I'll be fine."

"Better safe than sorry," said the changeling. "You never know when Kori's gonna unleash a destructive wave of feelings. And I don't want what happened in the garage to happen again."

Cyborg eyed the two and smiled to himself. He stood and said, "Alright, guess I'm going solo tonight. Don't do anything stupid."

"No promises," Beast Boy said with a cheeky grin.

The robotic man left and Raven decided to brave the walk to her room, hoping Starfire's emotions wouldn't penetrate her being again. As she walked Beast Boy was by her side, slipping his hand into hers once again. She liked the feel of his hand. It wasn't forced, it wasn't fake. It was just… right.

"So… that was a nice date," she said into the silence surrounding them as they walked.

"Definitely," he agreed, grinning without control. "First one I've had in a while. Think I'll get a couple more?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Are you interested in other women in the city?"

"I meant with you."

"Do you want some more with me?"

"Jeez, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't. So how about it? Didn't you have a good time?"

"Yes."

"And don't you kinda sorta maybe like me?"

"Do you kinda sorta maybe like me?"

"I asked first."

"Well my answer depends on your answer."

He groaned, knowing she wouldn't speak first. "Fine. No, I don't kinda sorta maybe like you. I really definitely absolutely like you."

She wasn't prepared for that declaration and felt her body go hot. And she wasn't sure how to respond. She did like him but to use such strong words scared her. So she swallowed, her throat was suddenly very dry, and said, "Well. It seems we're mutually emotionally involved."

"No, no, no, I wanna hear you say it right," he said, not about to let her get away with her crafty tongue. "If you like me then I wanna hear you say it."

She sighed and felt defeated. "If it really means that much to you."

"It does."

"Alright. I like you. A lot."

"Really definitely absolutely?"

"That's pushing it."

"Can't help it, baby, I'm a passionate man."

"Don't call me baby," she said, nipping that pet name in the bud. "But keep working on finding that perfect nickname for me." She headed towards her room, which was only a few feet away now, but turned around when she reached her door. "And I'll tell you what, when you find the one I like I'll let you kiss me." A bold proclamation but she felt it was about time she got to flirt back. But a smirk on his face quickly caused her to regret her words.

"Ooh, you shouldn't have said that. Cuz I already know your preferred pet name. I've just been saving it for a moment like this."

"I'll be the judge of that," she said, standing firm but was actually nervous that he did know. She wasn't prepared to kiss him. Not yet, at least. "So let's have it."

He got very close to her, so close she nearly took a step back had the door not been there, and leaned in. His breath tickled her ear as he whispered, "It's Rave." Her eyes went wide with shock and she felt a hot shiver run down her spine. And before it could fade his lips had captured hers. She certainly wasn't ready but not a fiber of her being wanted to reject him. It had been a long time since she'd been kissed, longer than the last time she'd been to the movies, and she relished the feeling. It left her body tingling and hot and she didn't want it to end. Neither did he. But eventually he did move back, though letting his lips linger on hers for as long as he could.

She took a breath and said, "How could you have possibly known that?"

"Cuz it's the only one you never yelled at me about," he winked. "See? I do pay attention. So how're you feeling now? Any trace of Kori's agony trying to get in?"

"No," she shook her head with a smile. "I honestly forgot she even lived here."

"Well then," he smiled and leaned in to give her another kiss, this one quick yet strong, "I think I better get outa here before I say something stupid and ruin the moment."

"Oh I'm starting to like you more and more by the second," she smirked with a slight swoon. "It took you five years but you're finally catching on."