Author's Note: Sorry if this seems like a later update than usual. It is, unfortunately, exam time. *sigh*
Hopefully this chapter is more exciting than my lab report.
Robin re-entered the living room to find Beast Boy and Starfire bent over a game of chess. They had set up in front of Raven, who sat on the couch wrapped in one of Starfire's blankets. As far as Robin was aware, neither Beast Boy or Starfire knew how to play chess. It took him just a second to figure that a serious game was not their two had seemed to take it upon themselves to act as entertainment for Raven.
"Ohh, a delightful creature," Starfire exclaimed, holding up the knight, "may my piece do battle with your piece?"
"No Star," Beast Boy mumbled, glaring at his pieces in thought, "it's my turn to move."
Robin stood behind Raven looking down and smiling at what he saw. Raven watched the two with her head cocked to the side, a small smile on her face. She was getting better. The distraction must have been helping. And if distractions where helping Raven then Robin was all for them.
Robin couldn't help but reach over and place a hand on Raven's shoulder. He felt her hair still slightly damp from the shower brush against the top of his fingers as she turned her head to glance up at him. He smiled brightly down at her, feeling his heart warming at seeing his friend happy and better. The warmth in Robin's eyes reached Ravens and, feeling touched by his reaction, reached a hand up and rested it over the top of Robins.
A loud frustrated groan from Beast Boy brought their attention back to the game of chess. Beast Boy was finding it hard to make a next move and dropped his face into his hands.
"You... go the fish?" Starfire asked, confused by his actions.
Raven lifted her hand and transported one of Beast Boy's pieces diagonally over. Beast Boy looked up and thought for a minute, staring at the chess board until his face broke out in a large smile.
"Checkmate! I win!" Beast Boy cried out in victory.
The three other Titans clapped playfully along to Beast Boy's victory stance until the door bell ring.
"Dinner's here!" Beast Boy yelled, breaking his pose to make for the door.
"You ordered?" Robin questioned, quickly glancing outside to see it indeed was almost dark.
"Yea man, and forget going out in this weather!" he called as he transformed into a cheetah to run down.
Starfire glanced up anxiously at Robin and asked, "would you enjoy a game Robin?"
"Err, chess isn't really my thing," Robin replied.
"I can help you," Raven offered quietly.
Robin stared down at her searchingly for a moment. Raven stared back with what appeared to Robin to be enthusiasm.
"Well okay then," he agreed, smiling down at Raven before glancing up at Starfire, "Star, your on."
Starfire's joy was plastered on her face. Finally, a time to have Robin to herself! That joy soon dissipated when she saw how Robin and Raven worked together. Chess was a slow game and even slower when Robin's turn consisted of secretive planning with Raven. It made her feel excluded; not closer to the Boy Wonder at all.
At least Beast Boy and Cyborgs entrance with dinner gave Starfire an excuse to turn away. But not before something Robin whispered to Raven caused her to giggle, making Robin smile. It made her chest twist.
"Dinner's up!" Beast Boy announced, entering the room with a stack of pizza boxes, "I even found my copy of Starline Robots to watch."
"Well alright Beast Boy," Robin encouraged.
Cyborg was following quietly behind Beast Boy, a small card held in his hand.
"Here," he said gently, holding out the card to Raven.
Raven took it and read, her eyebrows dropping in confusion, "Dr. Anna Jackson?"
"I just got off the phone with her. She's willing to see you tomorrow if you don't mind heading to Gotham. I was just thinking.." he paused, pressing his lips, "...that maybe this thing isn't your father. Maybe it's your powers acting up, like when you got scared that one time. If it is then she can help and if not then, well, we can at least rule out that option."
Raven nodded gently. She hadn't thought of that. Maybe she was overreacting about this whole thing. Robin visibly relaxed too, having not thought about that option either.
"I will," Raven replied, allowing a small smile, "thanks."
Raven's smile caused smiles to increase on all four of her team mates faces.
"Alright! It's movie time!" Beast Boy exclaimed from the teams new joy, scrabbling to put the movie on.
Robin passed Raven a piece and grinned when he saw her gulp it down in new found hunger.
As she reached for her third, Robin leaned over and jokingly whispered, "be careful, you'll give yourself a stitch."
Raven smiled as Robin leaned over again and whispered, "or you'll end up like him," referring to a chubby mechanic bent over one of the robot characters, his feet dangling from the ground.
That one caused Raven to laugh out loud. It warmed their whole team to see their friend better. All, except Starfire.
Starfire during the film continued to cast longing looks in Robin's direction. She so wanted to move closer to him but his attention was too occupied by Raven. Every so often he would lean over and whisper small things in her ear that caused her to smile or laugh. It gave Starfire a knot deep in her stomach. But she ignored it and scowled herself for feeling jealous. Raven needed a friend and that was what Robin was doing. He was being a friend. And tomorrow, Raven would see the doctor and everything would be better. She would get her Robin back soon.
Raven continued to clutch the small card in her hand throughout the film, allowing that small hope lift her. There were other answers to what could be happening. And Dr. Anna Jackson was her hope.