When Differences Collide

A/N: 8 chapters down and four more to go. This fanfic will be completed as promised. This one didn't turn out how I liked but I didn't want to rush into things.

Raven navigated her way through the crowd of dancing bodies. The room was hot and almost suffocating, hands and elbows roughly jolted her. And on the occasion her feet were stepped on with heavy shoes. Red plastic cups, glow bracelets, and crumbs from snacks were sprinkled across the floor. Without looking behind her, she knew that Beast boy was trying to reach her. Raven could hear the faint shout of her name that blended in with the blaring music.

Only one thing was on her mind and that was to get to her cabin in the quickest way possible. Raven's powers were of no help as they were too unstable for her teleport away from the scene. The cool air brushed her skin as she made it out of the room. She, didn't hesitate to half walk and half jog to stay ahead of him.

"Rae, just wait up a sec." Beast boy called out. He only ran a short distance before deciding it was best to give her space.

Her worried expression stared back at her on the chrome door of the elevator. With one push of a button, the doors slid open with no one inside. Raven couldn't help but feel jumpy as she jammed her finger on the button to close the doors. Her mind was a mess as she thought of the possibility of Beast boy somehow reaching her cabin first. Her senses were heightened and as if she were in a daydream she was standing in her room without remembering how she got there.

"This has been long overdue." Raven locked the door and walked to her suitcase beside the small wooden table.

She unzipped the large portion of her luggage and carelessly moved her neatly folded clothes out of the way. Her hand wrapped around the dark gray handle and she quickly pulled it out and sat it on the bed. It was a no brainer that Beast boy would try to get into her cabin if he was determined enough. Raven went into the bathroom and returned with a gray towel to place underneath her door. At least it would stop Beast boy if he were to morph into an insect.

"And if this doesn't work I don't know what will." Raven once again took hold of her meditation mirror and locked herself in the bathroom for precaution.

She kneeled on the floor and peered into her mirror before she closed her eyes and chanted. It was only a matter of seconds when her environment changed until she was in the familiar place of Nevermore. Raven stood up, still clad in the blue dress that she had been forced to wear. She brushed the rubble off of her knees before standing up.

"Happy?" She was greeted with silence.

The pink cloaked emotion would have at least made herself known by now. It was a possibility that Happy could have been visiting another emoticlone. Raven folded her arms across her chest and walked through Happy's domain. The only sound were her shoes clicking on the floating rock beneath her. It was a good twenty minutes when she had reached Sloth's domain and even the brown cloaked emotion was absent.

"You've got to be kidding." Raven clenched her hands into fist before she pulled at her lavender hair in frustration.

The only other place that she could think of was a good ten-minute walk through Nevermore. It was highly unlikely that Knowledge and Affection were present in their respectful territories. Raven inhaled deeply before she released her breath and changed directions. At a brisk pace, Raven passed under an arch which had sharp protruding spikes. The scenery before her changed so it resembled a corridor made from rocks. And torches were consistently placed on the sides of the walls to brightly light the way.

"…she's going to be mad." A shaky voice bounced off the walls and reached Raven's ears.

"Don't be such a worry wart, Timid." The voice no doubt belonged to Brave.

Raven's footsteps echoed off the walls as she followed the curves in the corridor. She bypassed all the other doorways with a new determination. The chamber was large and in the center was a long stone table as if it were used for business conferences. Stone seats had been carved out and placed around the table and all of her emoticlones currently occupied the spaces.

"See, I told you so." Timid had pulled up the hood of her gray cloak and edged closer to Happy.

Raven stood there and took in the scene as she was still unnoticed by the majority of her emoticlones. Her hands rested on her hips and her mouth was set in a frown. Happy gave Raven a half smile which seemed off. Brave had both her feet resting on the table while and seemed to be listening to whatever Rude was saying. Sloth sat beside Timid with her chin resting on the cool stone. Knowledge, Affection and Rage were caught in heated three-way argument. Judging from their hand gestures and raised voices, it was only becoming worse.

Raven studied them for a moment longer. "What is the meaning of this?"

Her even tone had a dangerous edge to it. The commotion reduced to whispers before it gradually disappeared altogether. It was frustrating enough to hold their attention and to deal with them all at the same time. Raven turned her icy glare on to Knowledge and Affection before turning on the gray cloaked emotion.

"That was wonderful timing, Timid." Raven's sarcasm was almost venomous. "You honestly couldn't have backed out of any sooner?" She implied the incident with Beast boy that had happened not too long ago.

And the stupid butterflies continued to harass her with just the thought of the sweet kiss. Timid's cheeks were tinged pink and she looked somewhat distressed. Happy patted her shoulder in assurance while Raven took a moment to try and collect herself. She was seething. It hadn't been the first time she had been that angry. Normally, she would have been deep into her meditation by now.

"It wa-" Timid barely spoke above a whisper.

Raven promptly cut her off and turned her head away. "You know what? I don't want to hear your excuses."

"Don't talk with her that way." Brave removed her feet and fixed Raven with a cold stare of her own. "You know her self-esteem can't handle it."

Raven choose to ignore the green cloaked emotion, "And what gave you the right to take over me like that?"

Affection held her ground as much as she disliked arguments. "As if you didn't want to kiss him. You and I both know the truth and that it was your free will."

"Did you not realize the severity of the situation?" Raven's voice strained as her calm demeanor was crashing down around her.

Happy had an expression of what could only be of bliss, "What's so wrong about a kiss?"

"I couldn't control my powers. I could've killed someone." Raven walked several paces closer to the conference like table. "Or worse, capsized the ship."

Sloth took her chance and spoke up, "But you didn't. Honestly, you worry too much, Raven."

"Quit overreacting." Rude said. "Everything isn't about you."

Timid nodded in agreement, "But you did hurt Beast boy. He's going to hate us."

The moment of her escape hit Raven like a semi-truck and she remembered flinging him to the ground in shock. Whether it had been intentional or not, she had almost seriously harmed her teammate. Knowledge stood her ground; purple eyes cutting and her arms firmly crossed. And here in Nevermore it was safe for Raven to lose control and at that very moment, her anger was getting the best of her.

"You need to meditate." Knowledge said. "Being angry won't help you or any of us."

Raven spat through gritted teeth: "This doesn't concern you."

Knowledge raised a thin eyebrow and addressed her challenge, "I'll have you know that it does."

"Shut up." Rage turned on them, four dark red eyes staring them down. "The kiss meant nothing. Beast boy means nothing. Get over it, simple as that."

"It better not have meant anything." Raven said.

Timid looked back and forth between the two, "But s-she's lying."

The room had turned dead silent as the emoticlones looked on. Happy was trying to console Timid and her small frame shook with hysterics. Rage grew even more agitated and Raven's head felt like someone was hitting her with a hammer. She wasn't getting anywhere, no matter how sharp her words were.

"Timid, stop crying and realize this isn't about you." Raven's posture was ridged and her face like stone, "I have nothing to discuss with you. And if needs be, cry somewhere else."

Brave's relaxed position turned aggressive as she protected Timid, "As if belittling yourself will help your problems."

"As I recall, Raven didn't ask you." Rage snarled.

"Let's just deal with it some other time." Sloth said, she genuinely seemed uninterested in the harsh quarrel.

"No, this is being settled here and now." Raven said.

Happy was next to speak up, "Can't you see what you're doing to her?"

Raven paid no mind to the gray cloaked emotion that Happy was referring to. It was an emotion. "Affection, if you would leave my personal matters alone it would be appreciated."

"You can't deny her presence, Raven." Knowledge pushed her glasses back up her nose. "The consequences won't be to your liking."

Raven uncoiled her hands but kept them at her sides, "Since when has requesting to not be bothered a problem?"

"You can't do that. Please don't hide me, Raven." Affection's purple eyes were soft but her voice was laced with so much emotion. "It's not right, I haven't done anything."

"She's a valid emotion. Acknowledge it, Raven." Brave said.

Rage was so close to storming out of the conference room, "She can do what she wishes."

"I believe Brave wasn't addressing you." Rude said adding to the argument.

The tension was high and Raven had barely gotten anything through to any of her emoticlones. Most of them sided against her which she hadn't been prepared for. Instead, she had expected a civil conversation with Knowledge and Affection minus the audience and unwanted opinions. There was no doubt that she would have to meditate soon.

"That doesn't mean I have to continue feeling it and believe me I don't want anything to do with it." Raven snapped. "Look, I'm done here. Affection you know where you stand and I prefer if you'd keep your emotion to yourself."

"There was no reason for you to speak in such a manner towards us, Raven." Knowledge narrowed her eyes behind her round frames. "You're in denial and persecuting yourself won't help."

"No, Raven don't shun me." Affection reached out for her.

Raven turned her back on her colorful emoticlones, her heart race had strikingly increased. "So ignorant."

She was positive the words had come from Knowledge but she ignored them anyways. She was walking back through the stone corridor and the conversations behind her rose quickly. It was a wasted trip and she would have to rely on herself to take precautions. But first meditation would be her first priority.

"You're being a coward." Brave shouted at her back and the sound reverberated off the walls.

The bright sun glared down on the couple, though it was late morning it was reasonably warm. Robin had slid on his dark shades to protect his eyes from the rays. And Starfire was nearly finished with applying sunblock to her orange tinted skin. Cyborg and Bumblebee had gone off to do their own thing while he and Starfire did theirs. Something that had bothered him was the absence of Raven since last previous and Robin's short encounter with Beast boy earlier that morning.

"Robin?" Starfire tucked away the white and orange bottle into her bag and squinted at him. "I am worried about the well-being of our friends."

Robin casually rested an arm around Starfire's waist as they walked along the shoreline. "I am too. But we shouldn't interfere, it could cause problems."

The sand was white and they moved so the clear waves crashed over their feet. In his left hand he held a pair of black sandals. Robin was honestly worried about his two friends but giving them the space they needed was necessary. But for now, his girlfriend would have his undivided attention as they spent the morning together.

"Robin look," Starfire had stopped walking and swooped down. The waves had receded and her hand flashed out before they could come back. "A shell from the sea."

She held out her palm to show him the small shell. It was a white cockle shell with a spot of tan. The ripples in it had reminded her of the ruffle chips that Robin and Cyborg ate so much of. In its own way, it was quite pretty even if wet grains of sand were caked on it.

Robin picked up the shell from his hand and held it to his ear, "You can hear the ocean in it."

"It is wonderful."

He was well aware that he was telling her one of the many believed Earth myths. But he couldn't resist seeing her green eyes light up in such a way. He replaced the shell in Starfire's hand she took a turn of holding it up to her ear. He loved to observe her curious and childlike nature to the some of the new things she still discovered.

He smiled at her, "It's nice but it's not as cute as you."

"You are full of the cheese." Starfire laughed and tucked the shell into her bag.

Robin laughed as well and took her hand in his and ignored some of the stares people had given them. "I don't think you're going to find that many seashells. We're in a tourist location."

"I am quite satisfied with the one I have now." She said.

The couple wandered around the beach and Starfire was excited to see the pieces of white coral Robin had pointed out. And the tiny fish that swam near the shoreline had captured both of their interests. Their main excursion was snorkeling after they were both done walking along the shore. Robin had double checked if Starfire's mask had properly fit her after he put on his blue flippers.

Starfire had her hair tied up and swam close to Robin and occasionally held his hand. And Robin was quite pleased. The water temperature didn't give them any relief from the day's heat which was not something Robin had expected. Living on the island of the T shaped tower, the water was always cold. They both had even pursued a sea turtle for ten minutes before Robin grew bored as the creature happened to move so slowly. It was something he had wanted to do but turned out boring after having seen and followed the turtle.

And the amount of tropical fish was unlike anything Robin had ever seen. Starfire had pointed out several orange clownfish on the ocean floor. They had even swum with bright green fish which Robin had come to favor in appearance wise but the fish were skittish and didn't allow the couple to get so close. And after they had explored more of the reef the ocean waves helped carry they back to the shore.

"The water was a bit warm." Robin brushed his dripping black hair out of his eyes. "Was there anything you had in mind to do?"

Starfire wrung out her hair from the water but it continued to drip, "But the breeze feels pleasant. Do you mind if we partake in volleying of the ball?" She pointed to an available net on the sand.

"What you're saying is that you're ready to lose?" Robin followed after his girlfriend towards the blue and white ball.

"You do not wish for us to partake in the friendly game instead?" Starfire stretched and Robin jogged ahead to get the ball. "I will prove to be victorious."

Robin smiled and held his right hand in a fist to serve, "I won't go easy on you."

Starfire laughed and the ball soared over the net to her. "I do not wish for you to."

The breeze felt comfortable as their swimsuits were still wet from their snorkeling. These were some of the moments he enjoyed most with her. Especially when Starfire could handle his desire for competition. The sun moved higher in the sky and their swimsuits had dampened. Robin was out of breath and he felt to warm as he made a dive to save the volleyball. Starfire seemed slower and floated an inch of the ground to avoid stepping on the hot sand. The game was close with Robin winning and Starfire only two points behind.

"May we please stop?" Starfire rolled the ball under the net to Robin. "I am the exhausted."

Robin stopped the ball with his foot, "Yeah, what do you say about a short nap?" Robin lifted the net to get to Starfire. "At least before we go zip lining."

He couldn't ignore the crinkle in her eyebrow, "I must agree. But what if Raven and Beast boy cannot do the solving of their problems?"

"Raven needs time to herself. You know how difficult it is for her to recover after parties." Robin said and Starfire collect her bag off the ground, "And if we can't find them, we'll just go with Cyborg and Bumblebee."

Starfire sighed and both of them walked without a destination in mind. Her silence didn't escape Robin's notice and he racked his brain in fear that he had said something wrong, it wasn't unlike Starfire to keep to herself and ice him out which in fact had happened once or twice.

Starfire smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes, "I suppose you are correct. I had merely hoped that the event would have helped with the bonding."

"I know and that was kind of you." Robin said.

"Robin, look!" Starfire's finger pointed ahead of them and to the right. "I have always wished to have one."

Now that was small news to him, "C'mon then."

An empty netted hammock was strung between two trees and it was slightly shaded. And Robin relished in the privacy they currently had. He held the hammock steady as he could for her before he settled down beside her. Seeing that Starfire was much taller than him, Robin nestled his head in the crook of her neck. His eyes immediately closed as Starfire contently played with his jet black hair.

It was nearing 12:30pm and Raven hadn't stepped foot outside of her cabin that morning. She had awoken later than usual and her throat was so parched that sips of water hadn't helped. She had taken to meditation and had contemplated her previous visit to Nevermore. Time had escaped her when she heard four knocks at her door.

"Raven, you in there?"

She settled down on the center of her bed and moved to stand up. It didn't take much for her to sense Bumblebee's aurora on the other side. Any form of irritation was absent from her being as she had been meditating for a few hours. Raven quickly crossed the room and opened the door. Sure enough Bumblebee stood patiently waiting for her.

"What?" Her tone was even and robotic like it was routine.

Bumblebee gave her a familiar look, "Are you still up for the zip line tour?"

"I…think I'll stay here." Raven said.

The dark skinned woman didn't move, "You sure? It'd help clear your mind."

Raven studied Bumblebee's content expression, "I don't know what you're getting at."

"Girl, this is a cruise." Bumblebee said, "And you've been cooped up instead of spendin' time with your friends and havin' fun."

Raven took a moment to ponder her words, "What's so wrong about wanting to be alone?"

"You don't have to be alone all the time." A small frown touched Bumblebee's lips, "Do you have to be so difficult?"

"Yes." Raven then looked behind her, "When are you guys leaving?"

"In twenty. We'll be just down the hall." Bumblebee smiled in triumph. After she left, Raven gently closed the door.

She had twenty minutes to collect her thoughts and to get herself together. She was already dressed in a black short sleeved blouse and denim shorts. And her meditation mirror had been shoved to the bottom of her suitcase. Raven closed her eyes and sat on the edge of the made bed. The tension between her and Beast boy had been high strung and the rest of the team had noticed. Shy glances had been exchanged between the two and both would look away just as quickly. Beast boy's guilt and nervousness had seeped into her and she had tried her best to ignore it.

"Aren't scared now are you, B?" Bumblebee asked.

"Huh?" Beast boy's head snapped up, "Uh, no. I'm good."

Raven's eyes flitted about, they were away from the ocean. There was just so much green around them. It was safe to say that it was greener than California. The group of titans stood amongst another group of three and they had just begun their hike to the zip line. All of their feet crunched under the gravel path.

Cyborg agreed with his girlfriend, "You've been pretty quiet this whole time."

Robin and Cyborg exchanged knowing looks. Beast boy made an effort to hang back behind the whole group. Eventually, Robin and Cyborg did so as well and all of them tuned out the instructor. Beast boy's green eyes found the back of Raven's purple hair near the front and looked away.

"Yeah, was there anything you wanted to talk about?" Robin asked.

"Um, not really." Beast boy scratched the back of his neck, a nervous tendency that he had picked up.

Cyborg patted Beast boy's shoulder, "Okay, spill green bean."

"What happened with you and Raven last night?" Robin rested his hands on the back of his head.

Beast boy swallowed and dodged the question by asking one of his own, "Can I ask you guys something?"

"You just did." Cyborg said.

Beast boy stared at his shoes, "When did you first kiss Starfire and Bumblebee?"

Robin's forehead crinkled, "What's does that have to do with anything?"

"Look, can you just answer it?" He motioned for his two best friends to lower their voices.

"Alright, alright." Cyborg said, "It's a bit cheesy so cut me some slack."

Beast boy was growing restless, "Dude, just tell me."

"First kiss was at titans east about two years ago." Cyborg began his short story, "The two of us were takin' a break on the roof."

"I was there to help install the new security system." Beast boy nodded his head; listening intently. "We decided to watch the rain and it was startin' to get dark out. Then Bee started dancing in the rain so after I while I came up behind her."

Cyborg annoying paused for effect, "She looked at me and we sort of just started dancing. Then I just leaned in and kissed her."

"And that's all true, no joking?" Beast boy said, "She didn't blow up in your face?"

The elder titan nodded his head to the first question, "All true. And why would she have been mad?"

"What about you?" Beast boy's attention shifted to their leader.

"Well there's not much to tell." Robin said, "You guys saw the whole thing when we were in Tokyo. But we almost kissed before then."

Cyborg laughed, "Yeah right"

Beast boy stepped over a fallen tree in the path, "When did that happen?"

"Shut up." Robin's voice was hard as he didn't want the rest of the group to hear, "It was before you three barged in."

"Can't blame us for that one." Cyborg said as the path grew narrower. "We didn't know."

Robin continued, "But my first real kiss was with, Babs."

"Babs?" Beast boy asked.

"Batgirl."

Cyborg wore a smile on her face, "Bet Starfire doesn't know."

"In fact she does." Robin snapped, "It was in the summer when we went to the lake. A lot of people were there."

"We raced to this island in the middle and back." Robin said, "Then played a diving game to see who could swim the deepest."

Beast boy turned around and gave Cyborg a concerned look. And the half robot raised his eyebrow back while Robin followed the group ahead of them. So far, both of their stories didn't seem like complete disasters. Clearly, he must have done something wrong when he had pushed himself on Raven.

"Right. Keep going." Cyborg folded his arms only to drop them to his sides.

"So while we were diving," He glanced over his shoulder, "She held me under and kissed me. And that was that." He smiled at the fond memory.

Beast boy wore the same expression of confusion, "Dude, how old were you?"

"Eleven. She was twelve."

Cyborg nodded, "Well that explains it. So, something bothering you?"

Robin stopped which caused Beast boy to ram into the back of him, "You kissed her. You kissed, Raven."

Cyborg groaned as Robin had figured it out, "Tell me you didn't."

The path widened and Beast boy walked beside Robin, "I might have kissed her last night…at the party."

Robin slapped the back of his green head but not hard enough to really hurt him, "Do you even listen to anything we tell you?"

"Ouch." Beast boy held the back of his head anyways.

Cyborg shoved him from behind, "It's Raven. She's not like most girls."

"I-I don't know." The words quickly tumbled out of Beast boy's mouth, "It's sort of just…happened."

The gravel crunched beneath their feet, "Beast boy." Robin said, "You can really be an idiot sometimes."

"I know, I know."

"That explains the damage from last night." Cyborg said, "And why we haven't seen either of you this mornin'."

"You have to take things slow with her." Robin added onto Cyborg's advice, "Even if you're only friends."

"But she kissed me back a little bit." His green cheeks had turned pink with his confession.

Cyborg patted Beast boy's shoulder, "You don't have to make stuff up. Look, we'll drop the teasing."

"I'm not lying, that really happened." Beast boy's voice was strained with frustration, "Then she just ran off."

"What's done is done." Robin said, "It's in the past now."

It was silent for a moment until Cyborg spoke up, "There's nothing you can do to fix it." Beast boy's ears lowered in disappointment, "You gotta sit back and let Raven decide what happens next."

"And no influencing her decision." Robin continued, "By the way she reacted, it's best to give her time to think." He gave a half smile, "I hope you were listening to us this time."

"I was." Though Beast boy's voice sounded miles away.

The instructor in the front had stopped the group, "Here, we'll have you get your harness and helmet."

Off to the right of the path was a dark gray and white shed. The instructor unlocked the deadbolt and motioned for the group the step inside. Light blue helmets and black harness were on hooks against the wall. After the instructor went through how to adjust the gear the group was free to put it on.

"Could you help me make this tighter?" Raven had to hold up part of the harness.

It would have been Raven's first time zip lining. The other titans had been multiple times when they had gone on some of their hiking and rappelling trips. She had required assistance with tightening her harness. Heights had never bothered her as she could levitate so falling hadn't spooked her. Instead, she used it for a place of refuge when she wanted to be alone. Such as sitting on the roof of the tower or up in a tree.

"Does this feel okay?" Bumblebee asked and tugged on the strap one last time, "Comfortable?"

Raven nodded her head, "Yeah, thank you."

"Not so bad is it, Rae?" Bumblebee walked ahead of her out of the shed and turned to the wooden steps.

She had tried her best to avoid looking at Beast boy, "I can't believe I agreed to this."

"But you have not yet experienced the joy of weightlessness." Starfire said.

It never took much for Starfire to become so excited about the smallest things. For the most part, Starfire seemed like an overly optimistic sister to her. Raven shook her thoughts from her head and paid closer attention to both of her friends.

"But we fly all the time." Her voice devoid of emotion.

Bumblebee made sure all her hair fit inside her blue helmet, "Be a little open minded."

The group stopped at the top of the wooden steps just before the platform. Four dark skin men were dressed in bright blue shirts and white helmets. It was clear they were in charge of working the zip line. Raven folded her arms over her chest and listened to what the first instructor had to say.

"We have eight zip lines." The dark man named Fetu said, "The first one is two hundred meters across to the second platform. From there you will go onto the next platform and zip back with seven zip lines."

"Okay, we'll have you sign a waiver before you are able to be sent down." Fetu picked up three clipboards and pens and passed them around to the front of the group.

Raven patiently waited to receive the paperwork on not being held accountable for liability. Unlike her teammates, she scanned the context before signing her signature. The platform they were currently on was high and she could feel the trees sway with the breeze.

"The guide continued to speak while people were still signing, "The highest platform is forty-five meters and it's possible to reach sixty kilometers an hour."

Raven mentally converted it into about forty miles per hour. For a zip line, that was fast and she was beginning to have second thoughts. The man patiently waited until he had everyone's undivided attention.

"For anyone with long hair," Fetu rested his arm on the wooden railing to the steps, "Please have your hair tied up and tucked into your helmet. We don't want there to be an accident where it is possible to be scalped by it being caught in the pulleys."

"Keep any hair, clothing, necklace, and draw string hoodies secured." A woman with crooked teeth whispered to one of her friends for a hair tie. "Do not grab the cable and hand breaking is not necessary."

Raven shifted her weight to her left foot, "I'm going to request that you stay up right. No upside down or superman zipping." The guide continued on with the list of safety concerns for another few minutes, "So who's going first?"

It was quiet for a moment before the woman—Selena—with crooked teeth stepped up. Two of the workers securely hooked her up with locking carabiners. Selena didn't hesitate and immediately left the platform when it was safe to do so. Her scream rang out loud and clear and they could hear the metal pulley riding against the metal cable. Raven grew nervous after three people including Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast boy had taken their turns.

"You going to be okay?" Robin asked.

"This is a lot higher than any I've been on before." Bumblebee said as she scoped out their surroundings.

That comment had captured Raven's attention, "Is this safe?"

"If it wasn't we wouldn't be here." Robin assured her.

Raven silently nodded her head, she wasn't the least bit frightened. "I'll go next."

The wait seemed to take forever until it was clear for her to go next. Robin and Bumblebee smiled and asked her several more times if she was alright. The only thing that had really bothered her, was her throat. And unfortunately, it had worsened and felt like she was trying to swallow glass shards. If she was getting sick, right then and there would mark the end of her vacation.

Soon her harness had been hooked up and Raven held onto the guide wire above her head. She took a deep breath and silently counted before her feet left the ground. She hadn't uttered a peep while everyone else had scream and shouted. Instead the wind whistled in her ears as well as the metallic sound of the pulley. The wind whipped at her face as she picked up speed and she couldn't help but look around her. Shades of green, brown, and branches whipped past her and Raven was above most of the trees.

But what made her heart stop was the rapidly approaching river she would fly across. If not for her excessive meditation session, she could have easily endangered herself. Raven's eyes snapped shut so she wouldn't have to see the rocks that jutted out and the rapids that rushed around them. As she grew nearer to the platform she could hear the screams and clapping, a sign that it was safe to open her eyes.

"How was that for your first time, Raven?" Cyborg asked as she was immediately attended to.

Raven looked up and tried to regain her balance, "Honestly?"

Starfire and Cyborg nodded their heads, "Yes, of course." She said.

"Honestly, it was a little fun."

"I knew you would enjoy it." Starfire said and with that they waited for the last three members of the group to use the zip line.

Raven couldn't ignore the looks her teammates threw at her and Beast boy. It was obvious they knew something was up judging from their behaviors. But there was a solution and according to Raven she fortunately was prepared for almost any situation. She had to be ever since Beast boy had brought that blasted kissing plant into the tower. It would be a matter of hours or even days for the awkward tension to dissipate.

All in all, they had spent nearly two and a half hours on the course. Beast boy had cracked and began to speak more but was more careful towards Raven. And the empath had silently observed him and caught his attention more than a handful of times. They had crossed through the gateway to get back onto the cruise ship. And it was only a matter of time before they would head to dinner like clockwork.

"…going to wash up." Robin said, "When do you guys want to meet back up?"

Cyborg was next to answer as they turned down the hall to their cabins, "I don't know about you guys but I'm ready for some good eating."

"When are you not?" Bumblebee whispered under her breath.

"In forty minutes." Raven said while staring at her shoes.

When the boys had stopped, so had she as they had reached their cabins, "Sounds like enough time." Beast boy said and quickly slipped into his own room.

Raven followed Starfire and Bumblebee further down the hallway and they walked into their respective cabins. Each titan with the thought of a warm shower and fresh clean clothes on their minds. She moved to pull out a new set of clothes from her suitcases and headed to the familiar shower. She had towel dried her hair though droplets of water still fell onto her shoulders. Now Raven had just under fifteen minutes to work on what she really needed.

"At least one of us will be relieved." She mumbled and snatched the blue Gatorade bottle off the small table. It was on the way back to the cruise ship when she had purchased it from a vending machine.

Raven stood in front of the bathroom mirror and broke the seal on the orange cap. She wasted no time in pouring the contents down the drain and rinsed out residue. The ingredients to her potion was spread across the bathroom counter. Most were in tiny vials and others in plastic snack bags. But the important part was to somehow get Beast boy to drink at least half of the bottle. If Raven could succeed in doing that, then Beast boy's memory of their shared kiss would be erased. All of the ingredients had been premeasured and now that she had a piece of his DNA she set to work.

"A strand of Beast boy's hair," Raven dropped it in the after she had mostly filled the container with water. "And a teaspoon of River Weed."

The empath continued through the motions as if she had performed the potion before. Though she had never brewed a memory wipe, it hadn't been the first time she had prepared potions. And it was probably the reason why some citizens in Jump City had called her out on being a half demon witch. The solution changed from a murky brown into a dark blue after adding some of her own magic to it. Raven twisted the orange cap back onto the bottle and left to meet her teammates.

"What's taking Robin so long?" Beast boy leaned up against the wall and used the handrail to support his weight.

Bumblebee looked just as bored as they stood in the narrow corridor, "For all we know he's probably trying to spike his hair."

"We could just leave him." Raven said as they had had forty minutes to meet up again.

Starfire didn't look convinced, "I suggest that we continue with the waiting."

Beast boy lightly banged his head against the wall, "That's what we've been doing for the past twelve minutes."

Cyborg rapped his knuckles on the door for the second time, "Yo Rob, we're leaving with or without ya."

A muffled voice emerged on the other side of the door. A few impatient minutes later and the boy wonder had finally stepped out. His hands were lost in his black hair as Bumblebee had predicted. The door closed behind Robin and he gave his irritated friends a sheepish smile.

"I was um busy." Robin half gave them an explanation on his tardiness.

"I am glad that we will be sharing the meal together." Starfire said and walked ahead beside Bumblebee, "But we have not done the deciding of where we are to eat."

Raven walked beside Beast boy with the Gatorade bottle securely in her hand. It had taken a good amount of concentration to not accidentally burst the lights from above. She waited for an opening when she could offer the beverage to the changeling. And hopefully she wouldn't have to wait long.

Bumblebee led them to the direction of the elevator, "How about French?"

"Seafood?" Cyborg tossed the idea into the air.

Beast boy had even stopped to stare at Cyborg behind him, "So you want me to starve?"

"Course not." The half robot grinned, "No one's forcin' you to be vegan." Beast boy mumbled under his breath but argued no more on the matter.

"That's not fair to Beast boy." Robin said and pressed the 'up' elevator button. "We could try Italian."

Raven suppressed a sigh, "If we go to a buffer then everyone will be satisfied on what they want."

"Not a bad idea, Raven." Bumblebee admitted after she had stepped into the elevator.

Cyborg brought Bumblebee close to his side, "Now all we have to do is find one."

It had taken longer than any of them had wished and more stomachs were growling besides Cyborg's. Raven's head seemed to pound the longer she stood on her feet as they tried to figure out where they were going. Starfire had insisted she had seen the restaurant a while back and without question, her teammates followed her. Beast boy on the other hand had a sour expression on his face.

"I just want a bottle of water," Beast boy pleaded with the determined tamaranian, "Does it really matter where we eat?"

"Starfire, you don't know where we're going do you?" Raven had one hand pressed to her temple and she squinted.

Starfire had stopped and observed the surroundings while crowds of people walked around them. "I assure you that I have passed it before. Raven, what is wrong?" She had turned to face her friends who had taken refuge on benches.

"It's just a headache," Raven brought her hand back into her lap, "Or a migraine."

"You sure you're not coming down with something?" Concern colored Robin's tone as he evaluated her from behind his mask.

Raven struggled to keep her features composed, "I'm not sick."

At least she hoped that she wasn't, but the odds were against her. The tell-tale signs of her getting a cold was evident. It had been hours and her throat hadn't improved not to mention the possible migraine she was now experiencing. It wouldn't come as a surprise to the other titans and she was prone to illness. And probably why Robin had selected a warm vacation destination compared to snow covered Jump City.

"It is close." Starfire said and encouraged her friends to stand up.

After the looks his friends gave him Robin spoke up, "Um Star, maybe we should ask someone."

"Hello, may I remind you that I'm dying of thirst here?" Beast boy complained.

"Do you have to be so dramatic?" Raven rolled her eyes and Beast boy playfully made a face at her, "Here."

She handed him the blue beverage. It wasn't how she initially imagined how the situation would play out. As simple as it was, Raven didn't question it. The effect would take place approximately after two hours but that was only a guess. She could be very wrong and Raven took that risk. Anything to save her from the awkwardness that had fallen over the two.

"What?" Beast boy raised an eyebrow at her, "You didn't poison it did you?"

Raven hadn't realized she had been staring, "I'm making sure you don't backwash."

"What do you take me for, Rae?" Beast boy held the bottle away from his lips, "Fine I'll waterfall."

Cyborg and Starfire ended up bickering over her wrong directions. It wasn't until Raven shouted at them that they stopped. Beast boy had wasted no time unscrewing the orange cap, ready to down the liquid. He had swallowed the cool liquid four times before he wiped his mouth. Beast boy had no intention of returning Raven's drink so he could quench his thirst.

"See it is right here." Starfire had her arms folded across her chest.

Cyborg easily forgot their argument as he smelled the food, "Could've been here sooner."

The line wasn't long and the wait to be seated was short. The soft sound of Christmas music produced a light atmosphere. The flooring was carpeted with a floral design and consisted shades of red, gray, and white. The chair frames were black and wooden but the seat cushions were light blue. The group of six titans were seated at a round table that overlooked the ocean below.

Raven followed after Starfire towards the food with Bumblebee. Cyborg had insisted they go ahead and got their food first so the men could look after the purses and belongings. A stack of colorful plates was at the very beginning of the small line and placed throughout the restaurant.

Raven's hand reached out to take a sea green plate on top, "You should get another one."

Bumblebee inspected her blue plate even closer, "That's just nasty."

Sure enough small particles of food still remained on its surface. Starfire had already been contemplating the many food options laid out before them. Bumblebee had properly traded her filthy plate to one she had approved of. And Raven's eyes lingered on the quite enticing array of desserts. She quickened her pace so that the three male titans could fix their own plates.

"Is that all you want, Raven?" Starfire stared at the small amount of food Raven carried in each hand.

Bumblebee reached for the shredded cheese to add to her nachos. "There's plenty more for seconds and thirds."

"This is all I want." Raven then remembered how many stomachs Starfire actually did have. No wonder the tamaranian was so concerned with her meal portions.

Starfire reached for the silver tongs to place a roll of bread to her plate. And Bumblebee carefully added jalapenos on top of her nachos. Raven waited for both of her friends before walking back to the round table. After Raven had sat down between Robin and Beast boy, the green man pushed back his chair and stood up.

"That's all you're eating?" Cyborg appeared shocked, though he knew Raven never ate much.

Raven reached for her fork, "Yes."

Robin stood up along with Cyborg and Beast boy, "So enough to fill a bird?"

"Essentially." Beast boy said under his breath.

But before Raven could utter a peep; he was gone. She pursed her lips and stared at her hands folded in her lap. She barely even heard Starfire's concerns about politely waiting for the males to return before digging into their meals. And to Raven's surprise, Beast boy and Cyborg hadn't ridiculously piled their plates and bowls with food.

"How's everything back in Jump City?" Robin spun his plate around to reach his mixed vegetables.

Bumblebee shrugged her shoulders and avoided Robin's questioning stare behind his mask. She was quiet now and knew the leader had been addressing her. It hadn't been enough to draw Raven's attention and Cyborg tried changing subjects again.

"You know w-"

Starfire perked up immediately and cut Cyborg off, "Yes, please do tell if Silkie is the okay."

Raven picked off a pepperoni to eat, "And if the tower is still standing."

"The tower's fine." The dark skinned woman reassured her friends.

Beast boy dipped a French fry in ketchup, "Yeah, but what about, Silkie?

"Starfire, don't worry alright?" Bumblebee finally met Robin and Starfire's intense stares, "Silkie…well, they can't find him."

Raven was forced to closed her eyes as the unbridled emotions from Starfire worsened her migraine. "We must certainly return home at once."

Robin rubbed her shoulder in attempt to comfort her, "We're out of the country, Starfire. And I'm sure Speedy and Aqualad have it covered."

"But Speedy has expressed his dislike of my little bungorf." The worry in her green eyes was evident as was the folds in her forehead.

"He'd never harm the poor worm." Bumblebee twisted the silver ring around her finger, "And he never said anythin' about Silkie leaving the tower."

Starfire slouched in her chair and continued to sulk. Raven's hand massaged her temple once more after eating the rest of her Jell-O. Silkie was after all Starfire's and Beast boy's beloved pet. But seeing their friend so distraught had affected them all in one way or another. And Raven was sure that when they returned home, Starfire would really chew out Speedy and Aqualad.

"All this time we've been here and we all haven't seen any fireworks together." Cyborg changed the subject in hopes to get Starfire's mind off her pet.

Robin's fingers gently grazed Starfire's back, "We could go after dinner."

"And who knows maybe we could even go shopping or something like that." Beast boy had easily caught on to what both of his friends were doing. "And if you really wanted, a theater performance."

Starfire lifted her head and gave them a genuine smile, "May we really observe the theater performance tonight?"

"I don't see why not." Bumblebee crunched on her tortilla chip.

The conversation shifted about how everyone's day went and then to Christmas that was rapidly approaching. Raven gave her input when she thought necessary but mostly refrained from speaking as it hurt. It had taken some effort from all of them, but eventually Starfire had cheered up. Her hand was curled up into a fist and she leaned heavily on her elbow to rest her head on her hand.

Beast boy reached for the Gatorade bottle he had placed in front of his orange bowl. And the action didn't go unnoticed by Raven. "…ust saying we should totally go hot-tubbing."

"I agree with grass stain." Bumblebee smiled, and Beast boy shook his head at her and Cyborg's shared nickname for him.

"Is something troubling you, Raven?" Robin had paused his conversation with Cyborg.

Her eyes had been focused in the middle of nowhere until she caught Beast boy's movements. The substance had changed to color in between pink and purple and how he hadn't noticed was beyond her. His lips rested on the rim of the bottle, obviously forgetting to waterfall.

"Don't drink that." With so much as a flick of Raven's wrist, Beast boy's borrowed drink had been knocked out of his hands. Droplets had been flung onto his gray t-shirt and exposed arms.

Beast boy stared at her wide eyed as did the rest of the team, "You could've just said you wanted it back, Raven."

She was at a loss for words and embarrassment settled over her, "I didn't know."

Her face flushed as she had noticed she made a scene and judgmental eyes that didn't belong to her teammates found her. She ducked her head until the conversation continued without Robin pestering her. Beast boy shook his head and casually rested his arm on the back of Bumblebee's chair for support to lift the two front legs of his chair off the ground.

"It is the perfect idea, is it not?" Starfire agreed with whatever Beast boy had been saying.

Robin raised an eyebrow, "But I though you wanted to go to the theater."

"Why not do all of it?" Cyborg reached for his glass of soda, "I'm sure we can make it work."

"Hot tubbing." Bumblebee repeated, "They're showing a romantic comedy at seven."

"What do you say, Raven?" Cyborg used a napkin to wipe his lips clean, "You in for more team-bonding?"

Raven brought her elbow to her mouth and coughed, "Hot tubs are cesspools for bacteria."

"Way to kill the fun with knowledge." Beast boy pushed his chair back and stood up as he was already finished with his meal.

Her mouth slightly hung open until she remembered to close it. It seemed that she was just ripe for embarrassment all evening. Her eyes lingered on his retreating form until she brought her eyes back to her empty plate. Robin had scolded him for his behavior and Bumblebee shook her head. The empty chair beside her felt like a thorn in her side, though she knew he didn't mean to hurt her feelings.

"I believe Beast boy was doing the teasing." Starfire looked concerned but Raven had already pulled up the hood of her sweater.

It was habit she had developed to hide her insecurities. Another cough racked through her body but otherwise she said nothing. She could always revisit the library again as she had been so rudely interrupted the last time she was there. Starfire continued to comfort her friend unaware Raven hadn't been listening. She felt a motion beside her and Beast boy sat back down.

She looked up to see Beast boy's green arm extended out to her, "You can't skip dessert."

Raven stared at the pink pillowy cotton candy, she had only tasted it once before. And that had been when Cyborg declared a team outing to a theme park during one summer. Robin and Starfire had gone off on their own which had left Raven with the remaining two titans. Beast boy had been shocked that she had never had any and Cyborg had bought cones of blue cotton candy for the three of them.

"Thanks," By now, Raven should have been accustomed to his kindness. "You do know that it's just sugar, right?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she bit her tongue at what she had said. She had probably ruined the treat for him as well. "What did you think it was made out of? C'mon Rae, have some. It's just a special treat."

She didn't notice Bumblebee staring at her, "Your eyes…they're pretty."

And they were. She didn't know exactly why she had decided to share her thoughts with him. But she did in fact take a liking to the shade of green and how his eyes seemed to sparkle. Raven watched the multiple expressions danced over his features and matched his feelings.

"I um…thank you?" Beast boy was startled by her compliment and he looked at Robin for help.

"You probably get that a lot though." Her eyes followed his to a wide eyed Robin.

Beast boy rubbed the back of his neck, "I guess so. No, no not really."

"Is she flirting with him?" Robin managed to get out in a hushed whisper.

Bumblebee her hands off on her napkin, "Maybe she doesn't know she's doin' it."

It was after Cyborg and Starfire ate their own deserts when they left the buffet restaurant. A trip back to their cabins was made as all of the titans had acquired their swimsuits. Raven had hesitated but settled for wearing hers underneath her regular clothing. Robin was particularly excited about watching fireworks with his own girlfriend that night. Even if they hadn't caught the view from the beginning.

"And you still don't want to get in, Raven?" Bumblebee asked as she dipped her toes in the hot tub.

Luckily enough, the titans currently had the hot tub to themselves which was nice for the time being. Despite what she had said at dinner, her friends had ignored her horrifying facts and got in anyways. Except for Beast boy, who stood beside her. The hot tub was clear and looked fairly clean but Raven stood behind what she had said. A large TV was easy to view from where it was mounted. Red fireworks screamed and shot up into the sky before raining down with the sound of crackling

"No," Raven gently held onto her other hand and stared up at the dark sky, "I'd like to preserve my piece of mind by standing here."

Beast boy nodded, "I can't see myself getting in there anymore."

It had been his own fault that he had asked Raven to elaborate what she meant about bacteria cesspools. And in turn, he was truly disgusted. She had considered dipping her toes in the pool instead but changed her mind when she had caught a child peeing in it. Beast boy brushed her elbow and extracted Raven from her own thoughts.

"We can go sit if you'd like."

All she had to do was so much as look at him before a tiny smile broke out across her face. "Over there."

She felt giddy with just being in his presence and that she held a portion of his attention. She wasn't even positive if they were even her own emotions to begin with. But one thing she did know was hers, was the fear she also felt when she spoke with him. Her own anxiety threatened to overcome her at just the daydream of her and Beast boy. Her thoughts overruled her again, thinking she really should've let him drink the rest of the Gatorade bottle. With a snap of her fingers, she had ruined the moment with her friends questioning her motives.

"Cyborg's been trying to catch your attention, Rae." Beast boy waved his hand in front of her face and Raven gave it her best effort to be annoyed.

Just as Beast boy had said, Robin had been making his way over to the couple with the other titans following. Bumblebee had a white towel wrapped around her waist while Starfire continued to dry off her legs.

She slapped his hand away from her face, "What?"

"Quit botherin' the poor lady." Cyborg shot Beast boy a knowing look, which caused his friend to slump back on the plastic chair with a sour look on his face.

Robin turned his attention back to Beast boy then to Raven, "Did you still want to go to the theater performance?"

"Actually, I don't feel so well." Raven said. Her friends knew she had been lying but chose not to argue over her sickly state. And for that, she was thankful. "I'm going to head to bed."

"I could assist in walking you back to your cabin." Starfire eased her hand out of Robin's; ready to help.

Raven shook her head and the thought of sleep became more enticing, "I'll manage."

"But what if something were to hap-" Starfire was immediately cut off my Bumblebee.

"The girl said she could handle it." Bumblebee said, "Just give us a call when you get there so we know if you made it alright."

Cyborg looked at the digital clock built into his arm, "Best be going now to get some decent seats."

"Night Raven." Robin looked as if he were thinking on something, "Get some rest."

She nodded her head once and broke away from the group. Even then, she could sense Beast boy's concern for her as she made her trek back to her room. As soon as her head would hit the pillow that night, her vacation would be officially over. It would then be spent on recovering and putting up with her friends fussing over her health. And that year would be no different from all the previous ones.