Author's Note: It's my birthday! I'm 17! A present for you all! This is to make up for the long wait! A present for you all to celebrate with me! I hope that you forgive me!-Grins-

Dedicated to all that reviewed!

Disclaimer: I did it! I own TT now! –Wakes up from dream- Wait, this can't be. NOOOOOOO!

I hope that you enjoy!

Beauty Is Within Us

Chapter 9

Come Back

February 16, 2006

Today was the funeral for Raven Roth, a beautiful young woman who had graced Richard's life with her presence.

He dressed in all black and was saying his final goodbye to Raven. He had a dozen Casablanca flowers and Roses for Raven's grave. He lost the one person that kept him sane in his lonely apartment, a person who he was able to connect with. He lost his Raven and he never got to tell her those three special words.

I love you…

Did he love her? He was feeling the same kind of ache he did when Kori left him…but this was different. The pain was much worse, his chest was constricting, making it hard to breathe.

"And may this soul be blessed when it reaches heaven," the priest finish his last words. They began to lower the white casket into ground and throw dirt on it. Tears were already beginning to stream down his face; he felt his heart sink in despair. He didn't want to cry, he wanted to keep it bottled up inside of him. But he knew that keeping it inside wasn't healthy for him. Richard went over to the fresh grave and knelt down to place the flowers down gently. He looked at the headstone and he raised his hand to trace her name on with such lovingness.

"Raven… God, I'm going to miss you. I know I never told you because I just realized it, but I love you," he said shakily. He figured it out, he did love her and very much. "I can't believe you're gone, I thought that you would call me Richie for a long time to come. I-I wanted to tell you…" The tears started up again and this time he didn't attempt to stop them.

"How do I move on Raven? Huh? Tell me. Please…I need to know…" He broke down crying, he was on all fours now, his head resting on his arms. Richard felt his heart breaking; he honestly didn't know how to make it stop. He was alone again and that was one thing he hated.

He was wrapped up in his pain, crying for a woman who didn't know that he loved her, when the wind stirred up and felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around slowly and his eyes widen in shock.

It was Raven, wearing a white dress and it gave her a heavenly look, her luscious dark hair blowing in the wind. She was so angelic in his eyes.

"Wake up Richard." Blue eyes still had the shocked look in them as he stared at her. 'She's back. She's come back to me.'

"What? How is it that you're here…?" He pleaded, she couldn't leave him again.

Sapphire eyes twinkled and she smiled mysteriously. "Wake up." Cherry blossoms blew up in the air and surrounded her. She disappeared.

"Wait!"

(Tricked ya)

He opened his electric blue eyes and saw Raven lying unconscious on the hospital bed. The same dream he had been having for the last three days.

Three days.

It's been three days since Richard had seen Raven's beautiful eyes. Three days since he heard her melodious voice. Three days since he felt her lips kiss his.

Three whole days.

After the he had heard the heart machine flat line, they were able to stabilize her quickly. But her heart rate was erratic. They drew blood and found the poison that was used. The doctor had only seen a case like this once before and immediately had to get the counter poison to slow the harmful poison from killing Raven. Since the poison was in her body for so long she had trouble breathing and they put her on a respirator. It was only yesterday that she started breathing on her own. Doctor McCall, the name of Raven's doctor, said that she should wake up soon. It'd been two days.

Richard stayed by Raven's side as much as he could. He would only leave to take a shower and return as quickly as he could. He barely ate; he couldn't keep his food down or even if he wanted to make himself eat. He blamed himself for this. If he had left to find Raven only sooner, maybe he could've saved her. But he could almost hear Raven's voice saying 'it's not your fault.'

He was currently in her room, sitting in a chair right beside her bed, holding her hand. Her hand was so much smaller than his larger one and stormy blue eyes looked warily at her. He needed her to wake up.

"Please Raven, if you can hear me at all, wake up. I need you so much."

He put his head down on her stomach and wished she would just wake up. He entangled his hand in hers and soon sleep claimed him once again.

ﻼﻼﻼﻼ

It was had a day since Victor Stone was released from the hospital and once again he found himself drawn back in the same place. But it wasn't because he was injured or anything, he was here for Richard. He heard that Raven had been poisoned and Richard was taking it pretty hard. He also heard when he had to work that Richard had not been home since Raven's accident. While that was understandable, he needed to go or he was going to collapse from fatigue. Now he was going to see him to knock some sense into him.

He walked down the hallway and turned to the first down on the right. He opened the door and wasn't shocked at all at what he saw. Richard lying down on Raven with his hand intertwined with hers. Such a sweet gesture, Victor wondered if Richard knew that he was in love with her, he could he see it clearly. He closed the door behind him and went toward him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Richard woke up immediately, as if he was startled. He rubbed his eyes and looked behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Sleepy blue eyes didn't look to happy to see him.

"Nice to see you too," he sighed. "Look man, you need to go home and get some rest." Richard scowled.

"No, I can't leave Raven here by herself. She needs me here with her so she doesn't feel alone." Victor shook his head, Richard was stubborn as usual.

"Do you think that Raven would want to see you like this? She would want you to go take a shower, get something to eat, and get some rest."

"Yeah, but… I just… don't want to leave her alone… I'm scared that if I'm not here with her…she'll…" Richard trailed off quietly.

Victor nodded his head finally understanding. Richard was very much in love with Raven.

He had seen it the first time Raven had come to Richard's office but of course he didn't say anything. He wanted Richard to realize it on his own.

"Do you love her?" Victor wanted to hear Richard admit.

Electric blue eyes widen at the question. Did he love her? He thought back to all the times that he had made her smile, every laugh, every kiss and touch that they had shared. He had been in love once and he was getting that familiar warm feeling that made his heart speed up. He wasn't scared of loving her; he knew that Raven would never hurt him like Kori did.

He took a deep breath after coming to terms with the truth. "I-I guess I do Vic and it feels really good after, you know…"

"Yeah, I know. I'm happy for ya, it's about time."

Richard ran a hand through his hair and sighed deeply. What was he going to do with his new found feelings? Would Raven accept them? More importantly would she accept him? Did she feel the same way? Hopefully he would find out when she woke up. He felt the doubt creeping into his thoughts. No, he willed his thoughts. He would be optimistic about Raven's recovery and then he would tell her his feelings.

Vic could see the internal battle going on through Richard's mind. He just hoped that it worked out for the better.

"Come on, Richard. I'll have cop watch out for Raven so you can go home okay?"

"Sounds great." He looked towards Raven one more time before leaving.

Come back to me Raven…

§§§§

Richard walked into his penthouse and closed the door behind him. He sighed and move toward the kitchen to get something to eat. This would be the only time that he would take Vic's advice. He made himself something to eat quickly and took a seat at the table robotically, not really paying attention to what he was doing. He bit into his sandwich, he notice that the food tasted very bland. Maybe it was because he made it? Or maybe it was Raven wasn't here with him?

Probably the latter.

He put down the food, suddenly feeling tired and defeated. He lost his appetite even before he started to eat. He got up and made his way upstairs. He paused as he reached the top of the steps and looked to his left and saw Raven's room. His feet automatically began to move toward her bedroom.

Richard took a whiff of the room, inhaling Raven's scent. He went to her bed and collapsed on it. He could imagine that she found out she would do something to make him regret it; the thought brought a weak smile to his face. He finally fell into a deep sleep.

It was deep into the night when he woke up. Richard sat up in a daze, looking at the clock. He had slept for eight hours without so much as moving. Raven's bed was comfy, more than his. Why was that?

He walked out of the room toward his own, so he could take a shower and go to the hospital. He spent too much time here.

ﻼﻼ

Richard arrived at the hospital and he was standing in front Raven's room; he didn't see the security guard standing there like he did when he left. And even if his shift was over there was supposed to be another one right after him.

What was going on?

He opened the door and his breath hitched in his chest.

There was no one on the bed, no one in the room but him. No dark haired goddess laying there on the bed.

No… this couldn't be happening. He just couldn't believe it, as he stood there in shock.

Raven…was gone… he didn't get to say goodbye; he wasn't here to say those words to her.

He was wallowing so deep in his sorrow that he didn't hear the door open. The figure stepped in slowly and closed the door behind them.

"Richard?"

He turned startled for the second time that day and saw…

Raven…

He had to be hallucinating. This was just like his dream except here they were in a hospital and she was wearing a blue hospital robe that covered her gown.

She called his name out again, this time he wasn't so sure that he wasn't dreaming. It all seemed real…

Raven took a step toward him, but she stumbled, her legs still being weak and was about to hit the floor when Richard stopped her from falling.

Their eyes locked sapphire meeting brilliant blue and they just stayed like that for a small eternity. That is until Richard hugged her to him tightly. She hadn't faded in away like in his dreams, this was the real thing. He thanked God that she was alive and in his arms.

He pulled away and just to look at her, admiring her features. Her mid-back length hair was sort of messy and she was paler than usual, but still beautiful. Richard pulled her again into his arms, relishing the feel of her small body against his.

"Thank God that you're okay. You don't know how many times that I thought that you weren't coming back."

She pulled back to glare at him playfully. "Oh come on Richard, I would think that you would have more faith in me than that."

He chuckled and pulled her back. He wasn't done holding her. "I do, I do. Its just I never thought that something like this would happen to you… and then you were lying in bed not moving an inch, I was worried out of my mind. This is my entire fault and I'm so sorry. I hope that you can forgive me."

She once again pulled away and this time her glare was for real. "This is not your fault. This is Slade's fault; he's the one who poisoned me, not you. You saved me, so don't you dare put the blame on yourself. Understand?"

He opened his mouth to argue, but that fierce glare shut him up, instead he said, "Slade?"

She ran a hand through her hair. "He's the one who poisoned me." Richard led her back to the bed; he needed to hear more about this. This Slade man had to pay for what he did to his Raven. He lowered the bars that were on the side of the bed and they both sat down.

"Who exactly is Slade, Raven? Do you know him from somewhere?"

She laughed darkly. "I guess it's time for you to know something about my past, right?"

She didn't wait for an answer. "When I was younger I had two loving parents, Arella Roth and John Roth. They were the best parents ever, well to me they were." She took in a shuddering breath as flashes of the night began to fill her mind again.

Richard, seeing how hard this was for her, began to rub her back in gently soothing motions. "Ssshhh, its okay, just take a deep breath, alright?" Raven nodded, but she determined to get her story out. Richard had told her his, she would do the same for him.

"One night, I heard noise coming from down stairs. Being curious, I looked to see what it was. Turns out that my father owed something to some man and if he didn't return it he would die. I…saw my mother killed trying to stop that bastard from killing my father. He shot her, and then my father suffered the same fate." She turned to him, her sapphire eyes filled with crystal tears. "There was so much blood…so much…I…"

She broke down into sobs and Richard held her, he never knew that she carried around a burden like that. How awful to see your parents die like that. He felt anger course through his veins, the woman in his arms was still hurting. He figured that that she never really got over the pain.

He now knew why Slade was after Raven, to kill off the last person who could ever link him to the crime. Could someone be so coldhearted?

Her tears subsided and she just sat quietly in his arms. She felt so safe in his arms, for the first time she was really comforted by the thought. Richard looked down only to find Raven staring at him with her beautiful eyes.

"What's wrong?"

She pulled away from his arms and looked down at her lap. "After I get better, I think that I have to move out."

Richard felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. Raven move out?

"Why?" He kept his voice neutral, he wanted to hear her reason first and then he was going to oppose it like hell.

She continued to look down. "Because Richard, I don't want you to get hurt by Slade. He's dangerous; he's probably the one who set the explosion in that warehouse that almost killed you and your friend. I don't want to be the cause of your death. So I when I get my strength back, I'm going to look for another apartment somewhere and-"

"No."

Raven's head snapped up. "What?"

"I said no. You're not leaving."

"Richard come on, think about it. If I leave you'll be safe."

Richard glared at her. "And what about you? Leave yourself open so that he can take your life while I'm not there to protect you? I don't think so."

"But-"

"Raven," he growled trying to get his point across. "I care about you, okay? You are not leaving. Do I make myself clear? I will protect you. Please allow me to do that for you…"

Raven gazed into Richard's eyes, seeing his blue ones blaze into hers. But all she could see was his sincerity to protect her.

She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly as tightly as she could in her state. "I don't deserve you," she whispered softly in his ear.

Richard hugged her with one arm, while his other hand ran through her dark hair. "Sure you do. I'm glad that you've decided to stay with me, I don't think that I would find another person like you Raven."

She kissed his cheek and settle back into his arms.

This was the best day of Richard's life. The woman he loved was okay and he convinced her not to move out. Now the only thing left to do was to tell her his feelings.

But that could wait until later.

XXOOXX

Two days later Raven had been released from the hospital, with an order from the doctor to stay at home for at least three days. Richard had been thrilled and Raven had been disappointed. She didn't feel tired anymore and she was feeling much stronger than she was two days ago. Yet Richard wanted her to stay put and not go anywhere unless she was with him. Blame it on his protective complex. While it was sweet, it got old real fast.

This was her first day back at home and she was already bored out of her mind. They were currently sitting on the couch, Richard was reading the newspaper and she was reading a new book that he had bought for her. She looked out the window and saw the sun setting. So beautiful, she thought. She put down the book and was about to say something when the there was a knock at the door.

They both looked up toward the door, and then they locked eyes. Raven got up and walked to the door, stood on the tips of her toes and looked at the peep hole. She got back on her feet and turned to face Richard. She mouthed the name 'Kori' and he flinched. What did she want? He had no clue and didn't feel like seeing her right now. The knocks came again and her voice sounded through the door. "Richard I know that you're in there. Open the door." He got up and swung the door open.

"What is it Kori?" She walked in, uninvited he added mentally. He closed the door and turned to face her.

"Yes?" She was about to open her mouth to answer him, but Richard held his hand up to silence her when he saw that Raven was opening the door to leave.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Raven turned to look at him sheepishly. "To the park and to give you some privacy."

"Excuse us," he said to Kori. He took Raven by the hand and led her further into the living room so that Kori couldn't hear them.

"You know that you can't leave by yourself." He gave her 'that' look, the look that said 'I thought that we went over this.'

"But-" she tried to argue, but in the end she knew that he would win.

He glared and interrupted her. "No buts, if you want to go the park, I'll go with you. But not alone. Anything can happen and I don't want to take any chances."

Raven sighed. "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right," he grinned cockily. His eyes lit up and Raven noticed how handsome he was, is, same difference.

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "I'll go upstairs then." He nodded and gave her a kiss on her forehead which Kori saw.

It was then that she had an epiphany.

Richard didn't love her anymore. The cold fact reverberated through out her whole body.

Richard didn't love her anymore. She thought that when she had come back from Europe that he would still be in love with her and would forgive her of her mistakes. She never expected to find a roommate much less move on with his life. She could also see that he cared very much about this Raven woman. She saw proof of that, the way he talked to her, they way he looked at her, every smile, and the protectiveness that he exhibited.

She could see it; she wondered why it had taken her so long to figure it out. But she knew why, she had falsely clung to hope that he would forgive her and take her back again. She had been gone too long…Her emerald eyes gazed at Richard; she had to let him go. He was really going to hate her if she persisted in trying to get him back. She saw Raven start to go up the stairs but she stopped her.

"Raven?" Kori asked softly. Raven turned around to face Kori, looking her straight in the eyes.

"Yes?"

"Take care of him, okay?" Raven looked at her confused, but nodded anyway. She would figure out what Kori meant later.

Richard wondered what they were talking about, as long as they weren't fighting he was okay with them talking. He heard Raven go up the stairs and he focused on Kori.

"What was it that you wanted to talk about?"

Kori drew in a breath, "I think someone's following me."

Richard's eyebrows furrowed. "Do you know who it could be?"

"No."

"Did they leave anything, any threats?"

Kori shook her head. "No, all I got was a phone call and the person said that I'm watching you."

Richard thought that was strange. "Exactly when did that happen?"

"Yesterday night."

"I'll have someone look into tomorrow, alright?" She nodded. He made a mental note to start to working on it first thing in the morning. Even though he didn't love her, that didn't mean he didn't care for her. She had been part of his life once and he would never stop caring about her.

He looked her carefully to see if she was hiding anything else. He spotted it almost immediately. There was a mixture of sadness and something else that he couldn't place.

"What's the matter?"

She had been looking down when he asked her the question and now she was staring into azure colored eyes. Should she tell him? She might as well; she had nothing left to lose.

"I…won't try to convince you to come back to me anymore. I know that it's hopeless…"

Richard stared at her in shock, Kori give up? Now that was strange. "What made you change your mind?"

"It was the way you acted with Raven. I saw that light in your eyes that you get when you look at a person that you care about. I know that you care about Raven. Do you love her?"

There was an awkward silence, for one Richard felt pretty strange admitting his feelings to ex-girlfriend that he, at one time, loved more than anything in the world.

Kori could see it, he did love her. She just wanted one thing before she left him alone for good.

"Richard?"

He gulped. "Yeah?"

"Could I have a hug for old time sakes?" He thought it over and then nodded. He could deal with that. He moved closer to her and brought her into his arms. Even though Kori knew that this was the last time that she would feel his body against her, she couldn't help but the safe feeling that crept into her heart.

They let go and Kori moved toward the door. "Bye Richard. I hope that she loves you back." He gave her a slight smile while thinking the same thing. He closed door behind her and locked it. He hoped that she could find someone to love. Like he did…

He turned to head up the stairs. Time to check on Raven…

§§§§

Raven finished drying off and started putting on her clothes. She briefly wondered what Kori meant about taking care of Richard. Did she mean like take care of him and make sure nothing happen to him? She didn't have a clue. Her mind strayed to what Kori and Richard could be talking about. Probably some attempt to get Richard back. But she couldn't help but think how long it would take before he just gave into her. He was in love with her at one time. It would only be a matter of time before the feeling between would ignite once again. But where did that leave her? Alone, that's what.

She felt chest tighten, why did she feel that way? She knew that she cared a lot about him. Was there more? She'd have to think about some more. Raven finished putting on her night attire which consisted of silky pants and camisole. She brushed soft black hair over her shoulder and opened the bathroom door.

She stepped out only to find…

…Richard lying on her bed staring up at the ceiling.

"What are you doing in my room? More importantly on my bed?" He turned to smirk at her.

"To check on you."

"Is that all?"

He shook his head and sat up; he was sitting at the edge of the bed. He motioned for her to come closer. She looked at him warily, but went over to him anyway. She was walking to him in slow motion and he reached out and snatched her wrist and pulled her to him. She landed in his lap and she looked at him quizzically.

"Might I ask what that was for?"

He shrugged. "You were taking to long for my tastes."

"Oh, I see. If I don't move fast enough for you, you'll make me move to your liking?"

Richard smirked up at her, "Something to that effect." She made an effort to move but he held her around her waist. He shook his head 'no' and Raven raised an eyebrow.

He knew that he had to tell her the good news, his only concern was how she would react. She would be pleased or what?

"Kori's going to stop."

She looked confused. "Stop what?"

"Convincing me to be with her, she knows that I like someone else."

Raven couldn't describe the feeling that she had inside her, happy and disappointed at the same time. Happy that Kori was leaving him alone but disappointed that he liked someone else. But who could it be? That green envy was coursing through her veins and it could be seen through her eyes.

"That's good." It was Richard's turn to raise an eyebrow. That was all? He saw something else in her beautiful sapphire eyes. Jealously. She was jealous! Ha, this rich. He would go as far as he could to get a reaction out of her.

"Thanks and she's beautiful too." Raven's eyes narrowed.

"That's great." She tried to move from his lap but he was too strong. Damn the male species.

"I really like her too. She has a fiery personality and she's smart. She's everything I'm looking for in a girl."

Raven had to ask the question or she was going to explode with… well she didn't what exactly. "Alright, do I know her?"

"Yep. And very well to." She was jerked back. She knew the person?

"Is it Jennifer?"

"Nope."

"Karen?"

"She's cute, but no."

"Someone at your work?"

He pretended to think it over then shook his head. "Then who damnit?" Richard broke out into laughter; she was so fun to tease. She was especially sexy when she was frustrated.

She punched him in the shoulder to get him to stop laughing at her. "Fine. I'll tell you."

There was pause and Raven waited. She waited some more, nothing.

"Richard?"

He looked her sheepishly. "Oh, I liked the dramatic pause that, it just like in the movies.

She hit him again, but it didn't hurt him. He drew in a deep breath, he was ready.

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

Raven was in a state of disbelief. He liked her? "You like me?" He nodded and she shifted which made him nervous. Did she like him back? Maybe he told to her soon. She didn't say anything for what felt like whatever. Raven remembered what all the compliments and how he wanted to protect her…

Richard couldn't take it anymore; he opened his mouth to say something, but she held a hand up.

"Richard…I…" She paused, she was gathering her thoughts. She started again; now that she knew what she was go to say. "Richard, since I've come to know you, you're kind to those that you care about. You're smart and arrogant." He glared at her, but she continued, unfazed. "You're gentle and you've helped me in so many ways. So thank you."

"And do you like me?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck pressed a kiss to the base of his neck. "Yeah," she whispered softly. In response, he hugged her tighter.

She raised her head to look at him. "You do know that I was going to say no," she said out of the blue.

Richard raised an eyebrow, "What changed your mind?"

"I feel safe with you. When I was on my own, I never really felt safe because I knew that deep down that madman could have come after me anytime he wanted. I was going to say no to try to protect you, but you've already decided what you wanted, so there you go.

He chuckled and pulled back into his arms. This was the life.

That night that Richard slept without any trouble. Of course Raven was present, so that's what made it better.

♥♥♥♥

Author's Note: So how was it? It's my birthday so please review and tell me what you think!

I'll update Wish when I get a chance and review some stories. You know how school is…

Ciao,

Cherry Jade

A C.J. Production ©

In association with Rob/Rae Forever INC.