Do I even have to say it? Thanks to Darth Azrael and my readers/reviewers ^-^

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans or the songs I use.

Animal

"Yes! I can't wait for tonight!" Beast Boy said. "We're gonna partay." He continued and did a little jig, wiggling his hips back and forth in the middle of the common room as Alex did a face-palm, embarrassed to belong to the same species as him.

"Please stop acting like a five year old." She chided.

"What? Don't pretend you're not excited for the party tonight!"

"Parties aren't really my thing. Much less themed ones." Alex answered.

"Aw, come on. It's Halloween! Everyone's excited! Plus a birthday party! That's like...double the partying!"

Alex's brows furrowed, "Whose birthday is it?"

Beast Boy grinned and answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Duh, it's Raven's."

"It's Raven's birthday today?" Alex nearly shouted, turning pale.

"Yeah, didn't anybody tell you?"

"No! There's some serious lack of communication between us." Alex shouted, near hysterics, "How am I supposed to get her a present in time?"

Beast Boy rolled his eyes and snorted, "Calm yourself, woman; she never accepts presents from anybody anyway. She gets mad whenever someone brings up that it's her birthday."

Alex narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. As if that would stop her.

XXX

Later that day Alex was ruffling through her backpack trying to find something she could give to Raven. The trouble being...Alex didn't have much to her name. At all.

She also had trouble thinking of something that she could give to Raven anyway. All she could think of about Raven was that she was intelligent, beautiful, and sweet, she had an enchanting smile, wonderfully contagious laughter—

Wait, wait. Wait. Getting off track.

Raven likes to read.

Ha! Alex dug into her backpack and took out the few books she owned.

The problem with that was, Alex was sure Raven had probably read the books she'd owned.

"Hmm." Alex said to herself as she pulled out one last book from her bag. It was brand new, she'd barely even opened it once, and it had yet to even come out in stores.

Becca's dad owned a book store in Arizona, and Alex had managed to convince him to send her a copy of it, so long as she kept an eye on Becca. Which she was happily going to do anyway.

Alex looked down at the book, and barely gave it a second thought before she decided she was going to give it to Raven for her birthday.

Now she needed a bow and some paper to write on. She was sure the Titans had both...somewhere.

Alex began looking through the drawers in the common room in the mission to find a bow when suddenly Cyborg walked in, unbeknownst Alex.

"What are you doing?"

"Wah!" Alex said, smashing her hand against the drawer her hand was in, and looking up at an amused Cyborg. "What? Nothing. What are you doing?"

"Wondering what you're doing." He asked as he walked over to her, with utensils strewn across the counter.

Alex sighed. "I'm looking for a bow."

"Like...a bow-tie?" Cyborg asked, confused.

"No," She answered, in defeat, "Like a bow...you put on a present..."

"Oh." he said before a grin found its way to his face and he sing-songed, "You got Raven a present."

"Shut up."

"Because you love her." He continued to sing-song.

"Be. Quiet."

"Or maybe you just want in her pants." He said, grinning, giving a mock thinking look.

Alex simply blushed.

"But...it better be more than that." Cyborg said, suddenly looking serious as he leaned in closer to Alex, "If you hurt her, I will find you.", he held up his right hand, and it converted into his sonic cannon. "Do you know what this can do to a human being when I use it on full power?" he asked. Alex shook her head, to afraid to ask. "The sonic vibrations will turn your bones into a fine powder. Leaving you as a boneless, squishy mess."

"Never." Alex said, furrowing her brows at the thought.

"Good." Cyborg grinned, backing away, his arm shifting back to normal.

Alex needed a change of subject, "Where do you guys keep the freaking bows?"

"What color do you want?"

"Blue."

Cyborg walked away and a minute later produced a blue bow.

"You're my hero."

"I hear that all the time."

Alex rolled her eyes and chuckled. After a moment of silence, Alex nervously asked, "Do you think she'll take my present?"

"I think it could be a cat and she'd take it if it were from you. And she hates cats. Just ask Beast Boy." Cyborg answered.

Alex found herself rolling her eyes again at the thought.

XXX

"Raven!" Alex nearly shouted as Raven walked into the common room.

"Alex." Raven nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me it's your birthday today?" Alex pouted.

"It really isn't that important." Raven answered as she sat down, immediately followed by Alex.

"But you turned 18 today! The big one-eight! You're legally an adult now! You can...vote! Buy cigarettes!...Though I don't really recommend that...and, you know...other adult stuff. I don't know. What's it feel like to be an adult?"

"I've helped save the world many times over, and am just now getting the right to vote? Where's the justice in that?"

"...Good point. Although, you do realize, you're getting a birthday hug today from me, right?" Alex asked with a grin.

"No, I'm not." Raven narrowed her eyes in challenge.

"Oh, Raven. You can try your best to avoid it, but I will get you."

"Pretty sure you won't."

"Okay." Alex sing-songed. "So anyway, what costume are you wearing tonight?"

"I'm not."

Alex sighed. "Yes, you are. I don't care if I have to dress you myself."

Raven raised an amused brow at Alex's words, "What are you going as?"

Alex sank in her seat, "I lost a bet with Beast Boy, so I have to go as some mad hatter thing with a twist...knowing him it's totally—"

"You lost a bet with Beast Boy? How do you do that?"

Alex sighed, "We bet on a football game. The Lions lost."

"That's...actually incredible. I've never heard of anybody losing to Beast Boy before."

"Ha-ha." Alex mock-laughed. "But we have to think of a costume for—"

"Alex!" Beast Boy shouted, storming into the common room with a shopping bag in his hand. "I totally have a costume for you!"

"But we already got one..."

"Yeah but this one is like a thousand times better." He said holding out the bag for Alex to see.

"What is it?" She asked, peering inside curiously.

"A French maid costume!" Beast Boy shouted excitedly.

Alex's face fell. "Beast Boy...just, no."

Raven, on the other hand, looked intrigued.

"But you have to!" Beast Boy pouted like a child, stomping his foot. "You lost the bet!"

"I already have a costume." Alex reminded.

"I don't. I can take the one you already have." Raven offered from the sidelines.

Beast Boy and Alex both turned to Raven, shock evident on their faces.

"Oh...my...god...that would be so...epic!" Beast Boy said, nearly jumping up and down from excitement.

"But I thought you weren't going to wear a costume." Alex said, obviously not in with the idea.

"I thought you were going to make me wear one, even if you had to dress me yourself." Raven countered, raising a challenging brow.

Alex narrowed her eyes before giving up and pouting, "You're kind of mean."

Raven smirked.

After a moment, Alex smirked to match Raven's, "Fine. You want to wear that costume? Okay. I'll give it to you before we leave for the party. But just remember, you asked for it." Alex finished as she sing-songed the last part.

XXX

"I've changed my mind." Raven said, looking over the costume in general distaste as she and Alex stood in her room, overlooking the costume as it was strewn across her bed.

"Too late! You have to wear it." Alex said, grinning. Raven just looked in between Alex and the costume and finally shook her head. "Why not? It's better than mine at least. If you don't wear it I'm not wearing mine." She finished, rolling her eyes and waving a dismissive hand.

"No!" Raven suddenly imagined Alex in a French maid's costume, and looked away embarrassed. "I mean...fine. I'll wear it if you wear yours."

Alex grinned, "Okay. Can I use your bathroom to change?" Raven nodded in response. "Cool." She said, carrying her costume into the bathroom with her.

Alex closed the bathroom door and Raven sighed as she looked back down at her strange mad hatter costume with a twist. She was going to hate this.

Suddenly she heard a few sighs come from the bathroom and a loud bump on the door. Confused, Raven asked, "Are you okay?"

"Um...yeah...this is just...kind of small..." Alex answered meekly.

As Raven thought about it while blood began rushing to her face, it was totally worth it.

After the whole 'looking down Alex's shirt' incident and Raven had time to meditate and think on it, she came to the realization that she there might be a possibility that she was physically attracted to her.

However, she knew that she was glad that Alex wasn't wearing that jacket anymore.

And she was really looking forward to seeing her in that costume.

Even if it meant wearing something ridiculous.

"Raven...I'm kind of starting to change my mind..." Alex called through the door.

Raven sighed, "It's too late, I'm already in costume."

"But I look so...blech."

"I highly doubt that."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just come out."

Alex slowly opened the door, looking down not wanting to see the reaction on Raven's face as she crossed her arms over her stomach. Raven looked over Alex's features and briefly wondered if she would get a nose bleed.

Alex wore a stretch velvet dress with lace trimmed straps, faux lace up with bow accents, pleated organza trim with ribbon detail on the cups and hem, with velvet shrug with sleeves and matching pleated organza trim. On her head she wore a headpiece, while around her neck there was a choker. To complete the look she held a feather duster.

"See? I look stupid." Alex said as she looked up. However, doing so she was able to take in Raven's costume.

Raven was wearing long black and white checkered stockings, a mini dress with attached petticoat, with a ruffle of cloth attached at the neckline and extending down the front of her blouse, arm cuffs, and a cute hat with attached bunny ears.

"No, you don't." Raven managed as Alex looked her in the eyes. She was pretty sure Alex just checked her out.

Alex cleared her throat, "You look cute." Raven's face fell, "That's a good thing." Alex giggled.

"We better start heading out." Raven said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, Beast Boy's probably all impatient about going to the party." Alex rolled her eyes. "What a kid."

"I would think you would be just as excited. Chocolate is involved."

Alex smiled, "Yeah but I never liked wearing costumes. I was more of an Easter fan. It's a free excuse for sugar coated marshmallows and egg shaped chocolate. What's not to love?"

"Sugar coated marshmallows? Do you have any idea how bad that is for you? That's like...sugar coated sugar."

"Yeah...but do you have any idea how good it is?" Alex asked. "New mission: get you to try them."

"Not going to happen."

"You wait, it will." Alex said, grinning wickedly as walked out of Raven's room.

Raven somehow believed Alex as she watched Alex walk out of her room.

XXX

"This was a bad idea." Alex realized as the group walked into the Titan's East common room.

"What gives you that idea." Sarcasm dripped from Raven's voice.

Alex just glanced in Raven's direction as the rest of the party all seemed to literally stop and stare as their group walked into the room.

Robin wore a Clash of the Titans costume, of course still wearing his mask, wearing the same armor that Perseus wore, while Starfire wore a white long dress a with high slit front, with corset and matching gauntlets as if she were a Greek goddess.

Cyborg wore a purple colored, velvety coat draped with purple-striped, with matching loose fitting pants, along with a black hat and cane. Basically, he was a pimp.

Beast Boy went old school and wore a Scream costume covered in fake blood while he carried around a plastic knife.

However, almost everyone's eyes were on Raven because she was actually wearing a costume. They then switched their view to Alex, who was standing right next to Raven simply because of what she was wearing, and the fact that she was 'new in town'.

Alex sighed, slumping her shoulders as the rest of the group aside from Raven began to mingle, "Everyone is going to think I'm some sort of whore."

"No they won't, just tell them you lost a bet with Beast Boy."

"Great, then they'll just think I'm stupid."

"Which would you rather be known as?"

"...Is it bad that I can't make up my mind?" Alex asked meekly.

Raven sighed and shook her head, unbelieving, as she walked up to the punch bowl and got herself a drink, with Alex quick in tow.

"I hope you realize I'm going to follow you." Alex said.

"Why?" Raven said, and Alex realized it was about as much of a whine as Raven could produce.

"Because you're like the only one I know here..."

"1. That's not even true, 2. That's a terrible excuse anyway. You're social." Raven said, turning to face Alex, and grumbled as soon as she saw Speedy coming their way wearing a black suit and tie with a wicked grin plastered on his face.

"Well, hello there ladies." He said, obviously giving them both the once-over, "How are we doing on this fine evening?"

"If you value your physical being, you will go away." Raven warned in a deadly voice, "Now."

"Aw, come now, Rae," Speedy said, leaning against the table, "why would you two wear cute little things like that if you didn't want us to at least look?" He asked, grinning before he looked at Alex with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Maybe...touch."

"Whoa, now, buddy. Where do you get off saying—" Alex began.

"Excuse my friend over here. He just hasn't had any in a while now, so he's rather...playful." Aqualad came up, rescuing Speedy from Alex's wrath.

"I'll have you know, I've—"

"Speedy, I think that girl over there was gushing over how you stopped Cinderblock from crushing that building last week."

Speedy looked intrigued, "Is that so? Well, it was pretty sweet. I guess I'll go talk to her..." He said, walking off.

"Thanks." Alex said, as soon as Speedy vanished.

"No problem. But, uh, what's with the get-up?" Aqualad asked, honestly perplexed.

"Beast Boy." The girl's said in unison.

"Ah. Say no more."

"Well, I lost a bet to him. Raven is just...well...kind of doing this as a favor to me, I guess." Alex continued.

"Ah." Aqualad smirked, throwing a knowing glance at Raven. Raven caught the glance, and would have to ask him about it later.

"So anyway, what are you supposed to be?" Alex asked him. He wore normal clothes just with bed head and make-up to make his face look extremely pale.

"Oh," He chuckled, "I'm Edward, you know, from Twilight? Steven is Jacob. We thought it would be funny. And it gives Steven a good excuse to walk around without a shirt on, which he knows drives me wild."

Alex started laughing, "That totally is. You guys are awesome."

"Anyway, I'd better go find him. You two have fun." He winked and waved them off.

Alex sighed, "Well it's a good thing he showed up, isn't it? One of us would have killed Speedy otherwise." She chuckled.

"I'm still thinking about it." Raven replied honestly.

"Was he being a dumbass again?" Bumblebee cut in, overhearing from the side. "I swear, that boy..." she trailed off, shaking her head. She wore a steam-punk witch's gown with a matching hat.

"Alex! Get over here!" Beast Boy called from across the room, waving his hand exaggeratedly as he jumped up and down like a little kid.

Alex sighed, "Ugh. I have to go. Part of the bet...be right back..." She mumbled as she slowly stalked towards Beast Boy.

"Bet?" Bumblebee asked.

"Alex lost a bet against Beast Boy. Hence the costume." Raven explained.

"Oh." She nodded, suddenly in understanding, "How do you lose against him?"

"I honestly don't know."

Bumblebee shrugged and was about to walk off, thinking their conversation was over when something struck her, "But wait, why are you wearing that then?"

"I thought it would be a nice change of pace." Raven skillfully lied.

"No, you didn't. Come on girl, the truth."

"It's...a favor for Alex. She didn't want to feel alone with her costume."

Bumblebee raised an amused brow just as Alex walked up and looked between the two of them as realization hit her, "Oh."

"What?" Alex asked, clearly confused just having walked up.

"What?" Bumblebee asked, feigning innocence as she looked back and forth between the two.

"Uh...what?" Raven asked, not knowing what was going on.

"Oookay..." Alex said.

"I'ma go mingle...you two ladies have fun now!" She winked, and something about her tone just seemed suggestive to Alex, but it might have been her imagination.

"What did Beast Boy want?" Raven asked.

"For me to admit that I lost a bet to him in front of his friends." Alex sighed. "It sucked."

"Next time, don't lose."

"You don't lose." Alex countered with a pout.

"I don't make bets with Beast Boy, hence I'm not in your situation."

"Raven...you kind of are. Except, you look adorable. I look like a whore. I wish he didn't change costumes on me."

Raven rolled her eyes, taking off her hat with the attached bunny ears and quickly placing it on Alex's head before she could protest, "There. Now you look like an adorable whore. Happy?"

Alex giggled to hide her blush, "Yeah, except you just admitted that I look like a whore..."

Raven smirked, "Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I'd buy a night."

Alex held her stomach as she barked out some laughter at Raven's almost-joke.

Raven laughed along softly because she knew it was a true statement.

"Oh, Raven. You are so awesome." Alex sighed as she got over her fits of laughter.

"Sometimes I try." Raven replied with a shrug.

Shortly after the music stopped playing and Cyborg walked to the center of the room, "Ladies, gentlemen, ghouls and ghosts, monsters and madmen...and whatever you are," He said, pointing to some random person, "We all know this is a Halloween party, and an awesome one at that—" Small cheers were given "But we also throw this party every year in celebration of a good friend of mine's birthday. I know she hates celebrating her birthday, but we all love her, so let's all say it together: Happy 18th birthday Raven!"

"Happy 18th birthday Raven!" Everyone cheered and clapped, including Alex who was still standing right next to her. The whole room was looking at Raven who just waved her hand in thanks and nodded, really wanting the attention to stray away from her.

"Birthday hug surprise attack!" Alex exclaimed, suddenly throwing her arms around Raven. Raven was initially surprised, but felt comforted by the contact and wrapped her arms around Alex's waist. "Told you I'd hug you today." Alex mumbled.

Raven just nodded contently.

The moment was ruined as soon as she heard a couple 'aww's' ring around the room, and then she remembered where she was and immediately let go of Alex and stepped away, clearing her throat to banish her blush.

Alex looked up to see Cyborg shaking his head with a smirk on his face, causing her to blush.

Raven looked around the room and saw Robin, Bumblebee, and Aqualad all with amused, knowing looks. Raven would have to ask them about this later. Because exactly what they knew, she herself had no idea.

"What, no birthday kiss?" Beast Boy asked suggestively from across from the room, ruining the silence.

"I got it." Bumblebee said, slapping him across the back of the head, earning an "Ow!" from him.

Shortly thereafter everyone continued with their party shenanigans.

"Oh, my god." Alex said, spying a bowl full of candy bars. "Be right back."

Raven nearly snorted and rolled her eyes as Alex made a beeline for the bowl.

"Could you be anymore obvious?" She heard Robin ask with a hint of amusement in his voice. She turned around to see him standing there with a smirk coupled with a knowing look strewn across his face with his arms crossed.

"What?" She asked, generally confused.

Robin's smirk slowly vanished as he realized that Raven was being serious, "You...really don't know." He said, looking at her and then glancing at Alex as she began walking back over with a handful of chocolate bars, "You know what? I'm going to let you figure it out for yourself. It'll be good for you." He said and then walked back to Starfire.

"What did he want?" Alex asked as she finished a candy bar.

"Chew, Alex. Chew. And I'm not sure."

"Leave me alone. This is delicious. Chocolate and caramel. Want some?" She asked, motioning her handful of candy bars towards Raven.

"No thanks." Raven shook her head.

"...You are so weird."

"I thought I was awesome."

"That was so five minutes ago." Alex said, waving a dismissive hand and rolling her eyes with a smirk on her face. Raven laughed softly in response, causing Alex to giggle too. "Besides, this one is white chocolate, you like white chocolate. Remember?"

Raven's face fell at the memory. "Yes."

"So you do want it?"

With a sigh, Raven took the candy bar from Alex's hand and opened it, taking a bite while very aware of Alex's eyes on her. "It's...alright."

"Woot, score one for cookies 'n' crème!" Alex exclaimed half heartedly while pounding a fist into the air. Raven just rolled her eyes as she threw the wrapper on the table, "Hey, aren't you at least going to throw that away? Litter bug!" Alex accused.

"It doesn't matter. They never make me help clean up the after party because it's my birthday." Raven shrugged.

"Oh...that's sweet. Hey..." Alex began, nudging Raven's side, "maybe you can get me out of it too." She asked sweetly with a grin.

Raven pretended to think about it, and raised a brow, "Well...you are in a maid's outfit...and you already have the duster..."

Alex's face fell. "I'll dust your face." She said as she lightly swatted the feather duster over Raven's face. Alex laughed as Raven sneezed, "Well that's what you get."

About fifteen more minutes past as they watched the party continue, and Alex found herself, well...bored.

"Raven..." She whined.

"Yes, we can go now. It's been long enough."

"Thank god."

"Come on, let's go." Raven said as she began leading Alex out of the common room.

"And where are you ladies going?" Speedy asked from behind.

Raven sighed and turned around but Alex answered for her, "We're leaving."

"Aw, already? Can't I at least get a hug?"

Alex rolled her eyes, "Fine." She said, leaning in and giving him a hug. A moment later she felt a squeeze on her rear end, "Ah! Hands!" She exclaimed, immediately backing out of the hug and roughly pushing him away. Speedy just smirked wickedly before turning around and walking away.

Alex grumbled and turned to face Raven, "I'm really starting to not like him."

Raven was still staring at Speedy as he walked away, looking like she was about ready to kill him.

"Uh...Raven? You okay?"

Raven suddenly was pulled out of whatever state she was in and looked at Alex, "Yeah. Are you?"

Alex looked away, a blush forming, "Yeah...that's just...never happened before."

"Next time I see him he's dead." Raven mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing. Let's go." Raven said, leading Alex the rest of the way out of the common room.

"We're not taking the T-car are we?" Alex asked.

"No."

"Then how are we...oh!" she said in sudden realization. "We're teleporting! That's so cool!" Raven rolled her eyes at Alex's childlike antics, before suddenly grabbing Alex's hand. She knew she didn't need to, but some force within her just wanted to. Alex assumed Raven needed to do so in order for the teleportation to work, "Can I say it?" She asked excitedly.

"What?" Raven asked confused before her face fell in realization. Really, why did everyone have to poke fun at her teleportation powers? "Oh." Sighing, she nodded her approval.

Alex nearly jumped up and down in excitement, "Beam us up, Scotty!" And Raven enveloped them both in a black aura as they both teleported back to her room.

Alex couldn't help the "Whoa." from escaping her lips as they reappeared in Raven's room. "That was awesome!"

Raven rolled her eyes.

"Really, I wish I could do that." Alex continued.

"The first time I ever teleported with Beast Boy and the others, he called it creepy." Raven informed her.

Alex waved a dismissive hand, "Beast Boy's a douche bag. It so isn't creepy."

"He is rather douchey, isn't he." Raven asked, making Alex chuckle, "What?"

"Nothing, I just never imagined you saying something like that."

Raven rolled her eyes again, "I don't know about you, but I'm tired of wearing this. Your clothes are still in the bathroom aren't they?"

"Yeah. I'm going to go change." Alex said as she pointed to the bathroom and made her way there.

As soon as they changed and Alex walked out of the bathroom, Alex sighed in contentment and patted her jeans, "Much better."

Raven nodded, back in her usual tights and cloak, "Tell me about it."

"But yeah, it's getting kind of late; I think I'll go to bed now. Nighty night, happy birthday again!" Alex called as she walked towards Raven's door.

Raven walked her out, "Thanks. Goodnight." She said before looking down something on the floor in front of the door, "What's this?" She asked.

"Oh..." Alex said nervously as Raven picked it up. "Well, I wanted to give this to you, but I figured I wouldn't be here when you saw it..." She chuckled nervously.

Raven looked over the book titled Midnight Rose with a blue bow over it. As she flipped the book over to continue to look over it, a folded piece of paper slid out and landed on the floor. Leaning over to pick it up, she realized it was supposed to be a card. Opening it read:

Happy birthday Raven!

I hope you enjoy this book. Just so you know, I didn't steal it. I have connections. :D

And by now I'm assuming I gave you your birthday hug. So, in your face! I told you I would!

Your friend,

Alex.

As Raven read over the card, she couldn't help the small smile that spread over her face. She looked up at Alex who was looking away nervously wringing her hands together. Suddenly Raven found herself leaning forward and wrapping her arms around Alex in an embrace, "Thanks. I really like it." she said.

Alex tensed at the sudden contact but soon relaxed, "Yeah?"

Raven nodded, "Yeah."

Alex smiled, blushing, "I'm glad." She said as she pulled away from the hug, even though she really didn't want to. "Anyway, I really should go to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Raven said as she walked into her room.

Both girls were unaware that they wore matching goofy grins.

Song: Animal - Neon Trees.

This chapter was fun to write, hahah.

Anyway, tell me what you think? :]