Thanks for the reviews, fav, and follow.

notbenamed: Raven is hiding a lot….um…or maybe she's not. Honest is important but…we shall see if everyone can be honest. Cool name btw.

Mads: I'm glad that you found her answer more interesting. Hopefully, she will change her mind soon.

Everyone Else: Please, enjoy :)!

The Awkwardness

Changeling was waiting for Raven with a smile when she opened the door.

"You didn't have to wait, you know? I know my way to the common room."

"I know, but I thought that we could go together and talk." Even though, he couldn't see her face due to her cowl, but he was certain that she had an eyebrow raised.

"What do you want?" Raven got straight to the point. It was no surprised that she would say that. They talked the least out of the Titans. Sure, they talked when they were in a group and when they found themselves alone with one another; however, they never actively seek to spend time with the other.

When they did talk, it was because one of them needed something from the other. It wasn't a bad relationship; it just wasn't a close one either. Nevertheless, he knew that she loved and respected him just like he did her. He more than her.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk with you." They slowly traipsed to the meeting. "We haven't talked in a long time." Originally, he had planned on spending more time with her and talking with her after his conversation with Cyborg about Raven being unstable. However, Starfire's departure, Retra's sneakiness, and the wedding had derailed his plan, and he fell back into normalcy.

He honestly had forgotten about Raven and her problems until his conversation with Cyborg yesterday. He, too, felt guilty for not checking up on Raven as he did before. His best friend prided himself in spending time with his teammates, no matter how busy he was. And now that Starfire was gone, they both thought that it would be better if they tried to spend more time with Raven, or as much as she would allow.

They had walked down the length of the hallway and turned a corner before she spoked, "How is Retra and the wedding planning going?"

He was happy that she spoked first, because he didn't know what to say to her. Talking about Retra and the wedding was easy to do.

"She's doing fine. The planning-" He sighed. "is a headache. I wished that someone else could help. Hey! Do you want to-"

"No."

Well, it wasn't like Retra wanted her help. Yet, he thought it would be nice to ask. "How about you? How is your…." He was drawing blanks. What did Raven like to do now? What was new, or even old, in her life? "life?" He finished weakly.

"You know, you don't have to force yourself to talk to me." She said calmly.

"I'm not forcing myself." He said quickly. "I want to talk with you. It has been a while since we last talked. You know, just you and me. I feel like we have things to catch up on."

"Really? Like what?"

"Like…um….like the latest Titans' exclusive gossip."

"What gossip?" He felt her curiosity.

"You know," he whispered, "Nightwing's dating someone new." He saw her stiffened beside him. "I know, right. I was surprised too. How could he move on so fast after Starfire left? I think, it's ridiculous. Starfire and Nightwing were the best couple ever. Hopefully, she will come back, and they can start dating again." Raven shifted her weight.

"I wonder who she is." He elaborated when she looked at him. "We only know that she exists since we heard her over the phone when we were playing online poker. He said that it was only the delivery person, but we know differently."

"You mean, you two are guessing. Some exclusive. Your information isn't even reliable."

"It is. Because he muted his microphone."

"A muted microphone. That's your evidence." She said, unimpressed.

"Yes. The only time a guy mutes his microphone while on the phone with friends is when he is talking to his girlfriend or someone that they like." They could now see the common area door.

"She probably could be something else to him. I don't know. Maybe the delivery person."

"It could be a secret wife." He ignored her suggestion. "And the plot thickens"

She turned to him, and he knew that her eyes were glaring at him. "Your exclusive is trash. I'm happy that your Youtube Channel and your talks on the radio are nothing like this."

"You watch my YouTube Channel?" He beamed. "You listen to my talks on the radio?"

"Of course not." She sped up, trying to reached the door quicker.

"I knew, you like to listen to my sexy voice and my words of wisdom."

She groaned. "The only person who likes your voice is Retra. And those words of wisdom are only part of your imagination."

"Come on, Rae. For once in your life be honest."

"Fine." She stopped in front of the door and looked at him. "Changeling, I never want to have another conversation with you again." She turned and walked through the door.

"Hey! I was trying to be nice." He followed her. He was used to Raven's demeanor, so he never took anything she said personal anymore.

"Don't be." She said.

"What's going on? What took you all so long?" Cyborg asked. They must have walked more slowly than they thought.

"Changeling decided that he wanted to talk." His eyes followed her as she took a seat on the couch, leaving a wide gap between her and Nightwing, who sat on the other end.

"About what? It's not like he can hold a conversation. He can barely breathe properly." Cyborg, who was standing up, teased.

A smirk appeared on Raven's face as she said, "I know."

A small smirk appeared on his face as well, thinking of a way to embarrass her. "Actually, she was giving me an exclusive on her long-distance boyfriend."

"Boyfriend!" The other males yelled in disbelief, looking at Raven. He wished that she didn't wear a cowl so that he could fully see the shocked expression on her face instead of only her parted lips.

"He's lying." He knew that she was glaring at him as he took a seat in the middle of the couch.

He turned to her with a smirk. "I'm sure, I didn't imagine you telling me about the hot guy that you meet at the bar and started to date."

"Oh, really? I didn't know that you had a boyfriend." Changeling smiled at Cyborg, who joined in the teasing. His best friend could tell when he was being serious and when he was not. "When do we get to meet him?"

"You don't." She growled. "Because there's no boyfriend."

"Rae," Changeling said. "You don't have to lie." He turned to Cyborg and pretended to whisper behind his hand. "He's the reason that she turned down the other guy that she is starting to like."

"The other guy?" Cyborg placed a hand in front of his mouth "Ooooh, a love triangle. You go, girl."

"Yeah-"

"You have a boyfriend?"

Cyborg turned to Nightwing. He had an unreadable expression on his face.

"No, I don't." Raven, who he turned to look to next, said softly. "Changeling is using his large, insufferable imagination to make up everything." He felt something in the room shifted as Nightwing and Raven stared at each other.

"No, I'm not. She has-".

"Shut up!" They snapped at Changeling, who deflated a little.

"We are here for a meeting, not for jokes!" Nightwing yelled. "Cyborg, let's start."

His eyes connected with Changeling, and he shrugged. It wasn't like this was the first time they had teased Raven about having a secret lover. They all guessed that was the reason why she wanted to live outside of the Tower and hide her face under the cowl. He couldn't comprehend why they were touchy about the subject now. Slowly, that nagging thought from before was reappearing.

"Cyborg." He cleared his head and ignored Nightwing's tone of voice before starting the meeting.

The meeting was to introduce the two new, independent cases to the team. Cases assigned to the team fell into two categories: those approved by the government-local, national, or foreign- and those the team took an interested in. Nightwing usually handled the one issued by the government. He determined the role each member would play and how they would solve the case. Cyborg oversaw the other one. His role was similar to Nightwing's. The only difference was that he picked the cases, or teammate would come to him with one, and he would make the necessary time and arrangement for them.

The cases weren't assigned to the team often since those issued by the government came first. And there was also the problem that they had to work in a little, gray area to complete the cases. Thus, when he introduced the cases and how he wanted them to be accomplished, he rarely got any argument from the team about it.

So, he was slightly taken by surprised when Raven didn't agree with who got assigned to which case. She never had any complaints before with how he did things.

"How about Changeling and I take the first case?" She asked. Cyborg blinked, surprised. When did Raven ever want to work with Changeling alone? "With his and my abilities combine, we should be able to hunt down the animal pretty quickly."

The wild animal that has been attacking campers has increased in the pass weeks. The animal had, also, ceased attacking lone campers and hikers and started attacking groups, leaving bloody bodies to be found in the morning.

"Actually, I prefer to work with Nightwing on the other case." Changeling commented.

"Dude," said Cyborg, "I need you on the wild animal case. How else are we going to explain why we stick our nose in it to the police?"

It was technically illegal for them to become involved in on-going investigations that the police haven't handed to them. However, if they 'accidentally' came across something they could help.

They had staged many accidental encounters, so they could become involved in cases. Most police officers were relieved to have the helping hands and less work. So, they overlooked their interference. However, there were a few cops who didn't. It was the reason why they played it safe and made sure that their stories were air tight.

"Fine. I guess, it's just me and Raven then. And our long conversation." Changeling smiled at her.

"On second thought, can I have a mission by myself? Nightwing is more than capable of handling the case by himself." Raven said.

"I don't mind." Nightwing said directly to Cyborg .

Cyborg looked at the both of them and asked, "Is there something going on with you two?"

"No." They said strongly as their eyes met briefly, and they looked away.

"Oooookay. I'm sure that Nightwing can handle it on his own, but back-up will be helpful and two people can get the work done faster. Are there any more questions?" Everyone shook their heads. "Ok, then the meeting is over."

"I'll message you later." Nightwing said to Raven, who responded 'fine' before transporting out of the building. He watched the spot that she left vacant with another strange expression. "I'm going to the evidence room."

"Hey, do you think that something is going on between those two?" Cyborg asked after he walked out of the room.

"Like what?" Changeling asked, looking up from his phone, which he pulled out as soon as the meeting was over.

"I'm not exactly sure, but you saw how they reacted when we teased her about having a boyfriend."

Changeling shrugged. "They are the worst when it comes to jokes."

"Yeah, but..."

"It's not like they hang out enough for them to get into a fight."

"I guess, you're right." Changing the subject, he said, "Are you ready to go camping tomorrow?"

"Sure, we can go after my yoga meditation class."

Cyborg nodded. "Does Retra know that you go to yoga class to pick up hot girls?" He teased.

Changeling smirked. "There is only one hot girl in my yoga class. She's more your type than mine. I can set up a blind date for you two in a private location." He wiggled his eyebrow.

"No, thanks. I don't need your help getting girls. Besides, I'm planning to ask Willow out soon. It may take a while for her to say yes, but I'm positive that she will."

His friend smirked grew wider. "Don't say, I didn't offer."

"Trust me; I won't. Are you ready for some midnight bowling? Or, are you kicking it with Nightwing in the evidence room tonight?"

"Seriously, did you even have to ask? Prepare to get your butt kick."

No Man glared at the large box in front of him. There was an enormous distance between him and the box as well as a magic, glass window. He had many enemies that like to gift him with little surprises.

The box had been sent to him with no name or address. It had been personally delivered to him by low-level criminals with a small, calling card.

The card had no words on it, only a QR code. He currently held the card in one hand and his phone in the other. Once the phone registered the code, a video with Slade's face surrounded by darkness appeared.

His head tilted to the side. He was curious to hear what Slade had to say.

"It's been awhile, old friend. In the box, there is an appropriate replacement for your precious toy. You're welcome. Also, inform the girl, she's taking too long to find me. I'm patiently waiting for their arrival."

The video cut off. He was now more curious about the new game that Slade was currently playing. Slade always did things secretly but this was on another level, even for him. Nevertheless, it wasn't his business. He would do as Slade asked and deliver the message to the half-demon-that was, if he liked his new gift.

He signaled for his men to open the box. And when they did, joy bubbled up in his body. It looked like he had a message to pass on.

Author Talk: So, who watched the Justice League Dark new movie? It was fantastic with unexpected twists and turns. I, personally, find it to be bittersweet, but a great movie. Go watch it if you have time.