Walking along the back streets to avoid the crowds, they came to a three story brownstone. Following the concrete steps up, Rath pulled keys from his coat pocket

Unlocking the door, "I own the building," he said holding the door open for her.

After entering, she followed him up morestairs to the second floor. He led her to a door which had 55 on its face. She didn't care why the door had 55 as he unlocked the door.

Opening the door, he flicked the lights on.

Allowing her in, "Don't worry about the mess. I'll clean later."

Following him to an open door, she stared at the bed. He entered a room on their left. A light came on.

"Do you have a specific brand of soap?"

"What do you have?"

"Irish Spring."

"That'll do."

Walking out of the bathroom, he headed towards a dresser. Pulling open the top drawer, he grabbed clothes out and dropped them beside the dresser. Opening the middle drawer, he took out some shirts. Walking towards her, he compared her height to the shirts length. A blue shirt came to her knees. He put this in the bathroom.

"Come here," which she did.

Taking her book bag, he removed her books and laid them on top of the shirt which rested on a white towel that was on a toilet seat. Opening the lid of the hamper, he dropped her book bag inside.

"Put your dirt clothes and shoes in here. Close the lid and wait an hour. Then check the top drawer of that dresser. They'll be cleaned. Understand?"

"Yes."

Picking her books up, "There's your towel and wash rag," pointing towards the toilet seat, "Here's you soap," handing her the soap box, "Enjoy," walking out of the bedroom and closing the bedroom door.

Closing the bathroom door, she looked up and saw a sliding bolt lock. Sliding the bolt, she stripped off her clothes and threw them into the hamper. After her underwear joined her clothes, she closed the hamper lid. Lifting the lid up again, her stuff was gone. Closing the lid, she opened the soap box. Fragrance hit her nose.

Sliding the shower curtain opened she turned the shower knobs. Testing the water, she found the right water temperature. Stepping inside, she slid the shower curtain closed. The water hit her body as she removed the grime from her body with the bar of soap.

Pushing play on his portable CD player, "We're caught in a trap," emerged from the speaker.

"Sing it, Elvis."

Walking into the kitchen, he placed his satchel bag and Raven's books on the kitchen table. Opening a cabinet beside a fridge, he removed two coffee cups. One stayed on the counter as the other got filled with cold coffee. Taking whipped cream can out of the fridge, he sprayed the cream on top of the coffee.

Drinking this, "Nice sound system," came from behind him.

Turning around, he almost spit out the coffee in his mouth instead he quickly swallowed it.

"It serviceable," he coughed.

The corner of Raven's mouth formed a slight smile then it disappeared. Her hair was still wet. The shirt did come to her knees, but it clung to her body just right that Rath could see that she wasn't wearing any underwear.

"So if an old friend I know

Stopped by and say hello

Would I still see suspicion in your eyes," drifted into the kitchen.

Placing his cup on the counter, he picked up the empty cup.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Got any herbal tea?"

Turning, "Properly can make something work?" opening the cabinet door, "Like anything to eat?" staring at the various food products inside.

Sitting down, "Any pizza?"

"Not ever cold slices," closing the cabinet door, "How about a sandwich?"

"What do you got?"

Opening the fridge, "Pastrami, salami, ham and cheese."

"Pastrami and cheese."

"Mayo or mustard?"

"Mayo."

Closing the fridge door, he placed the stuff on the counter.

Opening the bread box, "White or wheat?"

"No, rye? Wheat."

With his back to her, "Sliced or non-sliced?"

"Sliced," sliding her books closer to her, "Thanks," staring at his butt.

Making the sandwiches, "What for?"

Still staring at his butt, "For the shower."

"It's nothing."

Turning, he placed a plate beside Raven's books. His cup and plate was placed in front of an empty chair on her left. Sitting down, he opened his satchel bag and pulled his books and notepad out. He flipped open the notepad and a math book.

Grabbing a slice, Raven chewed on the corner of the sandwich.

"Rath?"

Staring his notes, "Yes, Raven."

"You forgot my tea."

Looking up from his notes, "I did, didn't I?"

Her head went up and down.

Getting up, he grabbed the empty coffee cup. He filled it with water.

"Sugar?"

Staring at his butt again, "No."

Placing his right hand on top of the cup and his left hand on the bottom, he closed his eyes. His fingers from his right hand glowed red from the light inside the cup.

Opening her notepad, her eyes went back on his butt.

"What a nice ass?" she thought turning away, "Stop it. You're post to be suspicious of him," returning to his butt, "But he does have a nice ass."

When he turned around, her eyes darted to her notepad which was upside down.

Placing the cup of brown liquid beside her plate, "Here you go."

"Thank you," sipping the tea which was actually drinkable.

"Ooooooo

It's now or never" replaced "Suspicious Minds".

Sitting down, he went back to his notepad.

Staring at the mathematic formulas, he grabbed for his sandwich without looking instead found fingers. Looking at his hand, he realized the fingers belonged to Raven.

"I was going for my sandwich."

"I went for my tea."

"Kiss me, my darling

Be mine tonight

Tomorrow will be too late

It's now or never

My love won't wait," floated in the air as their noses were inching closer.

"Should've paid more attention?"

"Maybe we both should pay more attention."

Their lips nearly touching.

"I need to check on my clothes."

"That's a good idea."

Watching her get up, and walk into the bedroom, he heard the bedroom door close. Grabbing his history book, he slammed it against his head.

"Stupid," was repeated with each hit from the book.

She didn't check the top dresser drawer instead she stared into the bathroom mirror.

"I'm dating Eric. This should be happening. Can't have feelings for him. There's that arranged marriage he told Slade that he was honoring," sighing, "Just get dressed and leave."

Opening the drawer, she stared at her clean clothes. Removing her borrowed shirt, she dressed. Holding her book bag, she sighed and opened the door.

"Time for me to go."

"Fine," picking up her books.

Walking towards him, "Let me do that," grabbing the books from his hands.

Looking up, she stared into his eyes.

Biting her lower lip, "Just call me a cab."

"No, I'll take you home," before she could say anything, "I know where the Tower is and I know that you're a Titan, OK. I'll drop you off and watch you enter the Tower."

"You won't walk me to the door?"

"Not if you want me to?"

"OK," putting her books into her book bag

Grabbing his coat and hat, "Come this way."

Leaving the apartment, they returned to the stairs and followed them downwards. Opening a door at the end of the steps, he flicked a light switch. It revealed a garage with tarps draped over stuff.

Walking towards a dark green tarp, he pulled it off to reveal a black motorcycle. Grabbing a helmet, he sat down on the seat.

"Come on," putting his hat in his coat pocket.

With the shoulder strap across her chest, she sat behind him.

"Here," handing the helmet to her.

"Can you ride this?" sliding the helmet on.

"Like riding a horse without the instinct," kick starting the engine.

Pushing a button on the left side of the handle bars, a garage door tilted opened.

"Hold on."

She wrapped her arms around as he turned handle grip. They shot out of the garage into the street barely missing some cars. Her eyes were closed as they zipped past automobiles.

As quickly they started, it ended. When the motorcycle stopped and she heard, "We're here," she opened her eyes. On her right was the Tower. Sliding off, she removed the helmet.

"Here," returning the helmet.

Taking it, "Thanks."

"Until another time."

"We'll see."

"Right," turning away.

Walking towards the water edge, a bridge rose from the water. She walked across it. It lowered back into the water. Reaching the door, she looked over her shoulder. There he was still on the motorcycle.

Watching her enter the Tower, he stared at his reflection in the visor of the helmet.

"Falling in love wasn't part of the plan."

Putting the helmet on, he turned the motorcycle around. Instead of going home, he went to Mel's.