Disclaimer: Teen Titans are the property of DC comics and I am not gaining any sort of compensation for this work. This is purely a work of fiction so any similarities to situations or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Author's Note: So that awkward "are we, aren't we" of after sex is done, and now we are on to the joys of being in a relationship. That includes not just the happy "Oh, I hope this lasts forever" moments, but also the "What the hell was I thinking when I got with you" moments. Don't worry, this is a BB/Rae fic and I'm a sucker for a happy ending. It might be more forward thinking and trendy to end on a sad note, but, let's be honest, I write enough sadness in my own personal project that I use this as my outlet for happy times. I still have no idea how long this will go on, guys like TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne and LamontCranston blow me away with their story lengths, but they're amazing writers. Sorry about the delay for the last couple chapters, I've been incredibly sick and I appreciate your patience in waiting for the next one.
Thanks again for all the reviews and views. Let's get to it.
11. The Main Course
"Damn it Gar, is it really that hard to put it a literal foot from where you just threw it?! I mean, it is literally right next to the laundry basket." Rachel shook the smelly sock at Garfield, her face red with anger. In the first week, it had come off as cute, that he was like a child leaving his clothes all over the floor. Now it was annoying and disgusting, and she was tired of picking dirty clothes off the floor.
"Come on Rae, I'm sorry, I just threw it, I didn't think it would land on the floor. Besides, most of those shirts you moved into the hamper were still clean, I could have worn them another time." he put his hands up in a defensive position.
"Still clean? Are you kidding me Gar? That excuse only worked the first fifteen times you used it. I know better, as soon as you shower its fresh clothes or nothing. You NEVER GO BACK FOR THE DIRTY CLOTHES." she was nearly shouting, though her tone was loud for her. They'd spent six glorious weeks getting acquainted with each other, learning each other's secret quirks, guilty pleasures and, of course, the spots that made the other's toes curl. They both explored each other's minds and bodies, trying to learn all they could about their partner. In the seventh week, things soured when Garfield complained that Rachel was too grumpy in the mornings. They soured further when she retorted that noon hardly counted as a morning. They spent the week bickering back and forth, in the privacy of their bedrooms of course, of the things that secretly annoyed them about each other.
"Listen, I'm sorry ok? I'll remember to put them in the hamper from now on. As a sorry, I'll do the laundry this week. Now put that gross thing down and come here so I can give you some love. You look tense, let me work that out." and with Garfield's words, Rachel's anger subsided. Though he drove her to the point of very real anger, he never let it stay for long. They alternated weeks in the upkeep of their rooms and shared bathroom, though they spent most of their time in Rachel's room.
"No, I'm sorry I got so mad, that was inappropriate. It's just a damned sock." she balked at the site of it in her hand "Smelly as it may be." she dropped it into the hamper and decided to do laundry earlier than she'd originally planned. She made her way to him, sitting next to him on the bed and leaning into him as he wrapped an arm around her.
"So why don't you tell me what's really bothering you. There's no way my Rae gets this angry over just a sock." He said delicately, hoping she would tell him the true nature of her ire. She was grateful he'd taken no offense to her behavior, making her feel even worse for it. He knew when she was distracted by other problems and often let her vent about it to him. This time was no different, though it still caught him off guard.
"Who says it's not about your socks?" She said with a wry smile, and he tugged her closer.
"The volume in your voice. You only yell like that when you feel like you've been personally insulted." he said pulling her into a laying position.
"Like you know me that well, Gar." she huffed, knowing he did.
""Raaaaae…" he drawled, asking her to tell him what was bothering her and quit deflecting.
"Garth got a raise and promoted. I am now the lowest paid in the kitchen, that manager is driving me nuts. I work so many hours, I work alone, I cover shifts, I train everyone, I close alone, I never call in and I'm never late. Why do I keep getting passed up for promotions and raises? I didn't even get my yearly raise." She sounded as though she was on the verge of tears, though she would never let them fall, not for something like money. Her pride was hurt, something no amount of money could buy.
"It's going to be ok, there's no reason to worry, try doing a little extra here and there. I know you already do plenty but it's what they expect from you. You have to stand out." he said comforting her.
"Don't you think I do enough to stand out?" she stood again and began pacing "Damn it Gar, I don't know what more I can do. I'm already running my station alone, doing all the dishes and I close alone any days that you aren't in. Gar, I've done more than most. I don't know if I have any more to give." She sat down again, flustered and clearly troubled. Garfield again placed his arm around her, wanting to comfort her.
"I know Rae, I know, they don't appreciate you, but they know the kitchen falls apart without you. I don't know why they won't pay you more or acknowledge you but I have my suspicions that's it's related to your lack of socializing. You don't joke around or hang out with any of the managers like the rest of us do. Hell, even I don't anymore. I figured when Vic left they would give you a raise but they never did." he traced small circles around her hand with his thumb. "Maybe you should start looking for a new job. I know you want to help Dick, but at what cost Rae? You're too smart to be in a kitchen, you need to be running something." Rachel often felt she could do no better, her only skills consisting of being able to read and comprehend what she read, writing well and being able to empathize with most people. She was a stand out in customer service, but didn't like the amount of social interaction that came with it. Helping Dick was only a small facet of why she worked where she did.
"Gar, I just, don't have any real marketable skills." she sighed, feeling hopeless and a little depressed.
"Bullshit, have you seen how some people write? Have you thought of going back to school?" he asked, wondering why she never continued in the first place. "You could get your degree and work somewhere that better suits you."
"Because when I withdrew, it ruined my transcripts." She groaned out. "I'm going to have to take those classes again, but the process to transfer my transcripts is a real bitch. Also, if I get another lead on my mom, I have to pick and leave at a moment's notice."
"I understand why you're doing it, but why do you have to leave to follow your leads? It's the information age Rae, much of your research can be done online or over the phone. It's not like you have to hit the streets to-" he stopped his thought as suddenly things snapped into place. The weekly nights out she spent alone, the stink of cheap cigarettes and campfire, the scared look on her face when those days came up. "Rae, you're not actually talking to people on the streets about your mom and dad, are you?" he pulled away and stared into her eyes. He never questioned her actions, knowing she was faithful and dependable, thinking she just needed space once a week.
"My dad was a gang member when he met my mom. He worked his way up and is now one of the main leaders. Much of the contacts I need to make aren't on the books. The police stations won't even give me information, even if it's public record, when it exists. 'It's part of an investigation' they tell me." she sighed again and relaxed met his gaze "I'm sorry for keeping this from you but it's something I need to do for me. I need closure. An old friend in Gotham tries to help but I have to do most of the footwork."
"Rae, that's so dangerous, how have you not been attacked or killed?" Garfield exclaimed. "I've been on the streets, I know what it's like, especially for a woman alone and unarmed."
"Actually…" she started to say
"Oh, let me guess, you're armed. Damn it Rae, I get your reasons but I still think you're being stupid for someone so smart." he huffed out a breath he didn't know he had held and ran his hand through his hair. "You're set on continuing this? Ongoing on weekly escapades into dangerous situations?" he said, already knowing his answer.
"I Am." she said with resolve. She wouldn't stop now, not after she'd come so close. "This is the longest my dad has stayed anywhere. I would have gotten word of his movements if he'd left."
"Then you aren't doing it alone, and I'm helping you. I know these streets better than you. I can help you find him." He shot her a look to silence any protests, "I know you can take care of yourself, but I'm still going to help you. What will you do when we find him?"
"Ask the bastard what he did with my mom and hopefully find her. Once he knows it's me that's looking for him, he will want to talk, I'm just trying to fly under his radar until I know what I'm getting myself into." she sighed again, not knowing how their conversation went from socks to work then to her search for her mother. Garfield must have assumed she'd given up her search, though she had hid it from him to save her the same reaction he'd just had.
"Well, first things first," he picked up the dirty clothes around the room and placed them into the hamper, "you need to start looking for a better job, maybe not one that pays better but one where you'll be happier. I'll contact one of my old friends about your dad's gang and we'll cross check it with your information. Go take a shower and let's go get something to eat, my treat."
"I thought you said you wanted to spend today in bed, not going anywhere or doing anything." She said, hoping her outburst hadn't ruined the plans he had set.
"I still intend to, but I'm going to need energy to spend it in bed with you, and I don't feel like cooking right now, and I'm not about to ask you to. I plan to spend the day in bed, easing your tension the best way I know how." he smirked, though she could not see his expression.
"A massage?" she asked hopefully.
"Sure, of sorts. I guess I could start with a back massage." he turned so she could see his expression, the desire on his face evident by the smirk.
"We need to re-up some supplies." she smiled back. "You keep burning through them like they're cheap."
"Cheaper than a baby." he said, laughing at the end.
"Very true." she grabbed her clothes and headed for the shower. Though she was troubled, constantly it seemed, he always had a way to relieve her stress and ease her worries. She felt a small pang of guilt in the shower as she thought on it, wondering how anyone could put someone they cared for through it. If he didn't want to, he wouldn't put up with it but Gar is such a white knight sometimes I think he would suffer for it, she thought as she dried herself, I think it's time I start working on being happy and stopped being so upset and nihilistic. Yeah, I'll start to enjoy this, I deserve a guy like Gar and its time I start acting like it. She stepped out of the bathroom feeling both physically and mentally clean. New outlooks were rare for her, but she had played with the idea one way or another. She walked toward the living room, new purpose in her steps, not knowing the troubles that awaited her just over the horizon.
"What kind should we get?" Garfield held up two boxes, both identical other than the brand.
"You pick, you have to wear it." Rachel said, absentmindedly browsing various bottles and "aids" as they were labeled. The small drugstore was quiet and empty, the blank faced cashier being the only other person they'd noticed.
"Flip a coin, I'm going to get something to drink, want anything?" he said, handing the boxes to Rachel. She noticed the slightest tint of red at the tips of his ears.
"Water, and gee Gar, I didn't know this embarrassed you." she teased. He scratched the back of his neck and chuckled.
"Yeah, it's not something I normally do, usually I go to the big store down the street and use the self-check out." he smiled and walked away; relieved she'd left it alone. Deciding on her usual brand, she placed the other box on to the shelf and turned to follow Gar, a wash of blonde hair catching her attention at the other end of the isle.
"Terra..." she whispered to herself. What are you doing in...?Oh Lord no. Terra stood at the end, her face showing how deeply she was contemplating the packages in her hand. Rachel recognized their marks. Pregnancy tests...her mind ran to Garfield. He was always so careful, though there were times when she suspected he wanted to continue without protection. She ducked to the next isle and rung her hands together. Surely it wasn't from Garfield; they'd been separated for too long for any child to be his. But what if it is? Her lifestyle could easily make her miss the signs.
"Rae, what're doing there?" Garfield touched her arm with the cold water bottle.
"Gar! I, uh," she stammered.
"Gar?" Terra rounded the corner, shifting the items in her hands when she saw Rachel.
"Hey Terra. Long time, how things are?" he asked, his expression showing nothing but a genuine nature, the warmth of his smile even surprising Rachel.
"Fine I guess, there's some things I wanted to talk to you about, but not here, and not in front of her." her disdain for Rachel obvious.
"Whatever you have to say to me is fine to say in front of Rae, otherwise you can forget it." He said, doing his best to still appear friendly while holding his ground.
"This has nothing to do with her; it's about you and me. Mainly me, but it's up to you if you want it to be your problem too." Terra moved her hands, the packages now in full view. Garfield glanced down, seeing what she was holding.
"You can't, even if you are there's no way...it's been too long…" he stammered, though he had his doubts, the math did add up just right for one night in particular.
"It's been months that I've missed, I just ignored it because I thought it was stress." she shifted her weight to her other hip and stared Garfield down.
"How can I really know it's mine? I mean honestly? Are you willing to take a paternity test?" he said, impressing Rachel with his ability to stay rational when she was lost for words.
"I shouldn't have to Gar, take responsibility for your actions, God you're such a child. I'd hate to have to sue you for child support." her face was smug as she insulted him, snapping Rachel from her daze.
"He is being responsible. I'm not saying it isn't his, but we don't know for sure it is." She said, defending her boyfriend.
"Terra, if the baby's mine, I want to be a good father. I just need to know for sure." he said, bargaining with her to be reasonable.
"What kind of good father isn't married to his child's mother?" she scoffed. There it is, that's her game.
"I can be a perfectly good father without having to be with you. Sorry Terra, we're done, this changes nothing between us. We can be friends for the sake of the baby but I won't be with you." he started walking away, "Terra, call me when we can do a paternity test, I'll be happy to complete it. Come on Rae, let's go." Rachel shifted into motion, stopping for a moment to meet Terra's gaze.
"Regardless of the circumstances, congratulations on the baby Terra, sounds like you've already decided to keep it." she started walking away, ignoring the ugly noise Terra made, having been beat at her game when they refused to play.
They were quiet the entire drive home, Garfield obviously lost in thought. There was no massage or any intimacy when they got home, only a silent meal and the movie they watched being used as only background noise.
"Even if it is yours, Gar, that doesn't change how I feel about you." Rachel said, pulling him from his own thoughts.
"Hmm? Oh thanks Rae, honestly, I just don't think it is mine. But if it is...Fuck how could I be so stupid." he placed his head in his hands. "The truth is, a part of me kind of hopes it is, but another part of me thinks this is just a show, a way to scare whatever guy she chooses to stay with her. She's done this before."
"Gar, the only way to know for sure is after she takes the test." she soothed, running her hand up and down his back.
"Should I ask her to go with me to a doctor to get tested? I just don't trust her." he sighed and tensed, "God I feel like an asshole."
"You're not; you're just trying to protect yourself. It's a reasonable request." she did her best to comfort him, bring his normal happy attitude back. Her attention was pulled away from him when she heard their doorbell, heading out into hallway to answer the frantic knocking and ringing.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." she called out to the door, stopping when she saw the familiar truck in the driveway. Opening the door, she addressed the angry blonde at the door.
"Terra, to what do we owe the pleasure." she leaned against the door, not opening it fully
"Cut the shit bitch, I know he lives here. Where is he?" she spat out.
"No need for rude behavior, I'm right here." Garfield opened the door fully and positioned himself between Rachel and Terra.
"It's positive, it's yours, come with me so we can figure this out." She commanded
"Ok, let's go talk to a doctor so I know for sure. Make an appointment and I will come with you. Until then you get nothing from me." He motioned for Rachel to head back into the room and turned back to the door, "My number is still the same, I'll unblock you, don't message me unless it's for the doctor. Or you can call me. Goodbye." he shut the door, feeling even worse than before. He hadn't intended to come off as one of those guys who ditched their girlfriend the moment she became pregnant, but she left him no choice. Her behavior at the end of their relationship was the only thing keeping him from running back to her. That and Rachel. Where Terra was demanding and manipulative, Rachel was supportive and caring. She didn't demand things of him, only requested he treat her well. She didn't keep tabs on him like Terra, only asking that he give her a heads up to what he was doing. Lastly, she didn't spy on him, didn't look through his phone and if she was at any time ever jealous, never made it known. She cared about him, and only him, not his money or anything else she could hope to gain from him. When he gave her gifts, she often told him it was unnecessary, though she was always more than grateful. Their intimacy is what truly set everything apart. Where Terra was always trying to find something new and exciting to try, even looking elsewhere when her lust could not be satisfied, Rachel was open-minded and reasonable. She was open to new things, but her passion far outshone any kind of kink Terra could throw. She was verbal and loved being close to him, calling his name and wrapping herself around him, even if for just that moment. She didn't need to be held or kissing in public, fully secure in his feelings for her, though she wouldn't balk at it either. She was an icy stoic outside, but his fiery goddess behind closed doors.
He jogged to catch up with her, before she entered the room, grabbing her from behind and shutting the door behind him. He nuzzled into her neck, no desire in his touch, only comfort and appreciation.
"Someone got clingy in the 30 seconds we were apart." she said with a chuckle.
"Rae, you're just so…" he choked the rest of his words back, sounding almost like a sob. She turned around and cupped his face in her hands, a gentle expression crossing her features.
"Don't worry, we'll sort this out. You can decide what to do when we have a better understanding of things. I'll be here to help however I can." she said, though she hid her own secret fears, choking them back for another time. "Everything is going to be fine Gar, we'll get through this." she cooed into his ear, taking his head and laying it against her chest, moving them both over to her bed. She whispered over and over, like a mantra trying to convince not only Garfield that things would be ok, but also herself. She cradled him, rocking him gently as his body shook. He wasn't necessarily scared to be a father, but not this soon, and not with Terra. He was afraid of what this would mean for him, but more importantly, what it would mean for his relationship with Raven. She said she would be there to help, but that didn't mean helping him raise another woman's child. He didn't want to think about any of it, least of all, losing the only thing holding him together in this moment.
Afterward: This took forever to get out! I'm so sorry to my devoted readers. My computer CPU just died on me and it took forever to decide whether I would replace or upgrade. I upgraded which meant I then spent a week playing new games on it to test it out. I'm back and per the usual rule, if this chapter is out, the next one is written and being edited. Sorry its so short, I ran out of gusto. Until we meet again.
Dangerzonedandy