Today was a new day and one that Raven was determined would be a good one.

To start with, she had a few things on her agenda that needed to be taken care of: a deep meditation session, spending time with Garfield and Emelia, then going to the park to repair it. Afterwards she would do a more thorough inspection of the tower to see if she missed repairing anything she damaged yesterday. The first time she had gone through it yesterday had been for mass damage; walls, windows, appliances and furniture. The second time had been for the more mundane things like light bulbs and other whatnot, but during it she had overheard Robin telling the story of Terra to Kid Devil. She knew it would always be a little bit of a sensitive topic for her, but she was certain it would never be like it was yesterday.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos." She chanted as she settled into her lotus pose and floated up off the floor. Within moments she entered her mindscape.

Meeting time, yaaaaaaay! Happy cheered.

Yaaaaaay. Rude said sarcastically.

We need to discuss a few things. Raven said as her emotions assembled. Lets start with Timid.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get so upset! The grey emotion whined.

It's perfectly okay, Timid. Affection said gently. I was just as afraid as you were about losing Gar.

Yes, we all were, though now we know he isn't going anywhere. Knowledge said. The rest of the emoticlones murmured their agreement.

That means I will not be having another borderline panic attack. Understood? Raven said sternly. Again, the emoticlones murmured their agreement. Good. Now, Anger, Jealously, about our Rose situation...


Meanwhile, elsewhere in the tower…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-

Wait, he's still asleep…


This is so booooring! Desire interrupted. Let's continue this in Garfield's room!

Raven paused. …why? He's still asleep.

So we can snuggle him, duh. It's not like I can't keep having this lovely conversation while burying my face in his pillow.

There was silence for a few moments before there was yet another chorus of murmured agreements.

I would very much like to snuggle up to Garfield this morning. A soft voice said, one that Raven recognized as her own but with a gentle and warm tone. She looked around (with her minds eye) until she spotted Affection.

Nope, not me. Affection chuckled as Raven went to speak. Another emoticlone, garbed in a rich and deep purple, stepped out from behind her.

I said it. The new emotion stated.

And just who are you? Raven asked, wondering just how many emotions this boy was going to make her develop.

Love.

We made her last night! Happy said cheerfully as she scooped up Affection and Desire. We decided that it was a good time to fully embrace our feelings for Garfield! She came from all three of us! The others tossed in stuff too, but she's mostly us!

Is that so? Raven looked at Knowledge, who nodded solemnly.

Yup. Desire said cheekily.

This actually works out quite well for me. Affection said. Now I can remain focused on our family bonds with the others and Love can focus on Garfield.

That does have some merit. Raven agreed as she turned back to Love. Do you understand your purpose?

Yes. Love nodded. Garfield is reason I exist, so he is my world.

Raven thought about this for a moment. I suppose that's one way to look at it…

I would like to be the first thing Garfield sees. Love smiled. Every morning, if possible.

Raven hesitated, then slowly slid her gaze towards Desire, who was attempting to whistle innocently.

Is that so? She said slowly.

Yes.

I will…consider it.

Oh, I want it too! Happy shouted.

Count me in! Desire shouted right after Happy.

Raven was about to respond with something a bit on the scathing side, but a tug on her mind brought her attention to Timid.

If I'm the first thing Gar sees every morning, does that mean I can have good morning kisses right away? The grey emotion asked quietly, hopefully. Raven was about to respond when she was interrupted yet again.

Does this mean I can sleep in? Lazy asked from her spot on the proverbial floor.

Holy crap, you're awake? Rude gasped.

Y'all are really active this morning and it woke me up. The brown emotion yawned.

Y'all is not a word, do not use it again. Knowledge glared at her sister.

Y'aaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllll.

I'm warning you, I will not tolerate slang-

And you thought I was fussy. Anger chuckled at Raven's side.

Raven glanced at her emotion. And you're awfully mellow this morning...

Anger shrugged. Spent all night dreaming about wringing Rose's neck. It was very relaxing, plus I was there when Love came to. She's got this weird calming effect going on.

Mhm… Raven looked at the assembled emotions. Her fixation on Garfield had turned her once calm mind upside down on a daily basis now. She had never dreamed that she could feel so much so often. It was both mentally exhausting and emotionally invigorating, which was becoming a point of amusement for the empath.

Alright. She said after watching them for a bit longer.

Her emotions immediately hushed and looked to her.

We'll go ahead to Garfield's room.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Happy practically screamed and jumped about.

Down girl, down. Rude patted the air between then. Your crazy is contagious, remember?

Pft, you're just jealous of my Super Raven Swagger!

your what?

Happy just giggled in response.

Hey.

Raven looked to Desire, eyebrow raised. Yes?

I want us to wear one of the outfits we got yesterday. Desire said before tugging on her chain. I can't do squat without your approval, but I want to look attractive for Gar more often. You know…girly.

The eyebrow rose higher. I haven't needed that to get his attention before, why would I need it now?

Desire's face screwed up thoughtfully. It's just that…well…I want his eyes only on me. I don't want him to look at other girls. I want them to see how he looks at me and be jealous. You know…to have some real pride in my appearance for once…to be as beautiful as he says I am.

Are you implying that we have no pride at all? Knowledge asked in a low tone that caught every other emoticlone off guard. Knowledge tended to be a rather neutral entity within Raven's mind and was the first 'emoticlone' so to speak, but for her to speak in such a way…well, it raised proverbial hairs on the back of their proverbial necks.

Raven looked at Knowledge and saw the threatening glare she was leveling the younger emotion.

No. Desire said, shaking her head. I just think that we don't exhibit enough pride and confidence in ourself unless its about information. Think about it, if we had more confidence in ourself, Rose wouldn't have walked all over us yesterday and mocked us the whole day.

So what you're saying is that this level of pride and self-confidence, which has kept us sane and secure for our entire life, isn't good enough? That I am not good enough? Knowledge said, her eyes glowing red beneath her glasses.

The other emotions started backing away from Desire, who was backing away from Knowledge.

Um, well, yes and no. Desire said nervously. I-I-I just want us to be better for him!

Pride is a very dangerous emotion, Desire. Knowledge growled.

Enough. Raven said loudly. Knowledge lost the red in her eyes and backed away, her face adopting the usual blankness it had.

Pride is a very dangerous emotion. Knowledge repeated. Be careful of what you ask for, Desire.

I'm just being myself! I want to look better for him! Desire protested halfheartedly. Come on, Specs, you know my angle!

I told you to stop calling me that!

Enough arguing. Raven said sternly. I had enough aggravation yesterday for two lifetimes, I don't need any today!

Both emotions shushed immediately and Raven sighed in relief.

Now, she said, Let's discuss this properly. Desire, explain your proposal more thoroughly…


Meanwhile, elsewhere in the tower…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-

Oh wait, he's still asleep.

Nevermind.


I understand and acknowledge your viewpoint now. Knowledge said to Desire before she looked at one of her other sisters. So, this is how we're going to do this: Jealousy, I need you to reduce your aspect by about fifteen percent, it is making us slightly irrational. Desire, you may add half of that to your own aspect-

Rounding up or down? Desire asked.

Down, because I will take the other half and round up.

Why do you get more? The perpetually amorous emotion pouted.

Because self control falls on me and as such I will remain the strongest at any given point in time. This is nonnegotiable. Knowledge replied without missing a beat.

Fiiiine.

Good. Now Love, don't let Desire talk you into anything without running it by me first, okay?

Alright.

Good. You and I will work on your aspect output at another time, probably soon.

That's fine, I just want to be with Garfield.

Within moments the adjustment in Raven's emotional spectrum was done and she sighed in relief. Things felt less conflicted now, which meant it was a good time to go snuggle her boyfriend.

Boyfriend was a term Raven pondered on occasion. Was it accurate for what they had? They hadn't been on any actual dates, but they did cuddle, snuggle, and kiss. They had also had that one rather risque moment…

She wasn't entirely certain, but she wasn't entirely bothered by it either. She enjoyed it no matter the terminology.

I would still like to change our attire…Desire mumbled as Raven floated back down to the floor and unfolded from her lotus position.

She glanced at the mirror and view herself in Garfield's clothes. She knew how much he liked seeing her in his clothes and that was the biggest factor why she kept wearing them to bed. Still…it was worth trying on some of the new clothes.

She went to the bottom drawer of her dresser and moved some clothes aside until she found the new ones. She grabbed the BJU shirt and, after a moments thought, the boyshorts that could go with the corset. The camisole set and the corset were both a bit too risque to wear just yet, but these should be fine. She quickly changed clothes and gave herself one more inspection in the mirror before setting off.


"Gar?" Raven said softly as she knocked on the door. There was no answer, so she took a moment to concentrate on his presence. He was very much asleep, which surprised her. Frowning, she phased through the door and into his room.

It was mostly dark, with a soft glow coming from a small nightlight on the wall and another from Garfield's alarm clock, which read 6:02.

Well that explains why he's still asleep. Rude said sarcastically.

Raven ignored the thought and quietly walked over to the bed and peered into the dark bottom bunk. She could see Emelia's small form wrapped up in blankets, sideways, with Mister Spooky sitting besides her. The doll appeared to be watching over her while she slept.

That's not creepy. She thought.

She then peered up at the top bunk and found Garfield there, snoring very very softly. He didn't have any blankets, which made Raven wonder if Emelia kicked him out of bed and he retreated up here. It was quite possible, the girl kicks like a horse. Silent as the grave, Raven floated up to Garfield's bunk and lay herself down next to him. He was remarkably warm, as usual.

He was also shirtless, which made Raven's pulse quicken.

She tentatively reached out and ran her fingers across his bare back. His muscles were so firm but his skin was soft. It was a pleasant feeling, so she ran her whole hand gently down his back until he shivered and abruptly turned over, pinning her arm underneath him.

Raven, surprised, stared at him silently until one eye slowly opened and looked at her.

"Hi." She said softly.

He made some sort of grunt/mumble and closed his eye, a clear sign he was going back to sleep (assuming he awoke to begin with!).

Raven couldn't keep the smile off her face, even though she had no idea why she was smiling. She snuggled right up to him and wrapped her free arm around him as she buried her face in his chest. It was a wonderful feeling, especially after his arms came up and wrapped around her. She had to wiggle a bit to adjust the arm underneath her until it was comfortable, but it was worth it.

She lay there, wide awake, and listened to both his steady heartbeat and his breathing. Both were sounds that she could very well get accustomed to hearing every morning. It was very calming emotionally and mentally.

If this is what love feels like, I'm not giving thus up anytime soon. She thought as she felt Garfield's lips press against her head. Her smile grew as she kissed his chest in return. She felt as well as heard him inhale deeply, along with the sensation that some of her hair was slightly moved. Curiously enough, this was followed by an odd rumble in his chest. Raven pondered what was that about up until his hand started moving up and down her back.

Rubbing my back in his sleep? She thought. Not going to complain about tha-

The thought was abruptly cut off as his hand went up the back of her shirt, sending goosebumps racing across her skin as his hot hand slowly slid up her back. Raven shivered at the sensation as it traveled up to her shoulders and slowly started its way back down. There was another odd rumble, almost a sort of growl, as he pulled her closer. Ravens chest was pressed to his sternum and belly now, his hips to her belly and his legs tangling themselves in hers.

Understandably, Raven froze in surprise. She had no idea what was going on, especially not when Garfield's hand traveled down and grabbed her butt. He inhaled deeply again and she heard the odd growl again as she was unable to stop the new shiver as he pressed his hips against her belly more so. His hand slid back up and pressed against the small of her back, the heat from it lighting her whole lower body on fire.

This was a bad idea! Timid whimpered.

Desire chuckled as the warm and tinglies started to spread. I dunno, I'm kinda enjoying thi-OH!

Raven's mind, emotions, and body stopped working when Garfield's hand slid under her boyshorts and underwear and grabbed her butt quite firmly. His other hand came up and pressed against her back. The growl that followed that action was deep enough that Raven felt it reverberate through her body and it seemed to not end.

And if that wasn't bad enough, something very noticeable pressed against her belly and the feeling made Raven remember what she had seen yesterday. She blushed hard and shook herself from her stupor.

"Garfield!" She squeaked, not even bothering to try to keep her voice from being high pitched. She slapped him on the chest as best as she could. "Garfield! Wake up!"

The changeling, of course, was still very much asleep. His only response was to continue that odd rumble and give her butt a squeeze. Raven thumped her head on his chest (still no reaction) as her mind began to race.

The position they were in wasn't uncomfortable, but the action in and of itself had surprised her greatly. The feeling of his skin on her skin wasn't unwanted, but that hot hand of his was pretty close to something it had no business being around at this time and it most certainly did not help that one of his legs was between hers, scant inches away from the aforementioned place. And what the hell was that weird noise he was making? It was a constant rumble that kept alternating in deepness and speed. It almost sounded like…no, that's just silly, he isn't in animal form...

She paused to listen more intently.

She had no idea he could do that but...Garfield was purring.

Azar, that's so freaking cute! Happy squealed.

He's purring for me! Love sighed.

I want to pet his head! Affection shouted.

Raven thought about this last thing. She did indeed like petting his head (hadn't quite figured out why though) but she was also in a slight bind right now. How would she get out without waking him?

She pondered this for a few minutes before shrugging and simply phasing just herself straight down through the bed. She floated about a foot above Emelia for a moment before she directed herself back out into the open air of the bedroom. Raven took a minute or reorient herself (and fixing her sleeping shorts!) before she drifted back up to Garfield's bunk.

He was still sleeping on his side, though his purring was growing quieter with each breath. Raven gently took his arm and lifted it up so that she could settle back in where she was before, albeit with both arms free this time. Another moment of thought led her to float up a bit further to the head of the bed so that she could reach his head better. When she finally settled in her chin was level with his forehead and she was laying on one of his arms.

This should work nicely. She thought to herself as she pulled his head a little closer and began to gently stroke his hair. The purring returned and he shifted in his sleep, his free arm wrapping around her and pulling her close. Raven chuckled to herself and eased one arm under his head to get more comfortable. Garfield himself wriggled a bit more in his sleep, presumably to also get comfortable. His arms wrapped around her waist afterwards and he buried his face in her breasts before inhaling deeply.

Raven almost frowned, but the sound of Garfield's purring getting deeper and longer killed that before it happened. She sighed and let him remain where he was. This was just too precious to give up right now.

She would have to remind herself of this later when his hand drifted down to cup her butt once more.


When Garfield awoke, all he could smell was Raven and it brought an unbidden growl of desire to his lips. His mate was close and the want of her was strong this morning. He shook the thought from his head because she wanted to wait, so wait he would. He would need a cold shower soon though.

But until then, he was going to figure out why the pillows he was on were so soft, warm, and squishy in a very un-pillowy way.

He cracked his eyes open and saw two things: the color black and a block of white.

"Huh?" He mumbled.

"Good morning Garfield." A voice said above him.

He froze for a second before slowly moving his head up to look his girlfriend in the eye. It was then that he realized that his face was planted between her boobs.

Sproing!

Raven blushed and so did he.

"Uh…" Garfield cleared his throat nervously. "Mornin' Rae. What are…what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you this morning, so I came in here after meditating." She replied, still red faced.

"Ah." He said, realizing that not only was he faceplanting in her chest but that he had one hand full of booty.

"You seem to have some fascination with my butt." Raven said slowly, an eyebrow raised.

"Uh….well, it's a really nice butt?" He gave her a weak smile and a slight squeeze as he tried to keep his thoughts clean.

"Hmph." Was all the reply he got before Raven began to pet his head.

Garfield had no idea why she was doing that but it felt good. He almost felt like purring, but she would probably laugh at him. So instead he settled into where he was once again. For some reason Raven seemed to be okay with where his hand and face was, so he sure as Hell wasn't going to complain. She was so soft and squishy and smelled really good and he really would like to pin her down-

Stop that. He scolded himself. The thoughts desisted, but the physical issue remained strong. Fortunately, Raven didn't mention it, so he didn't either.

Unfortunately they would only get about twenty minutes of cuddling like this until Emelia woke up. Raven took her to the bathroom and Garfield took the opportunity to go get a cold shower.

Of course, he had no idea that Raven also took a cold shower.


"We all set?" Garfield asked Raven a while later.

"I'm thinking so." She replied as she thumbed through one of her spellbooks that was full of miscellaneous spells.

"Mister Spooky needs to be buckled in Daddy!" Emelia called out from the back seat. Raven turned her head and looked at the doll sitting next to Emelia. She focused on the seatbelt for a moment and it came out and snapped around the doll before clicking into the receiver.

"Thank you mommy!" The little girl said. Raven murmured a response as she flipped another page.

After her ice cold shower (and knocking out a certain unnecessarily loud emotion begging for Garfield's attention) Raven had gotten herself, Emelia, and Garfield fed before she started diving through books. She needed to try to fix the park today and there were (hopefully) some spells here in this books that she could use.

She didn't pay attention to the car ride or traffic as they went along, solely focused on the book. The sooner she got this done the sooner they could go home was Raven's line of thinking. Well, that and trying to not think about the rather intimate cuddle with Garfield earlier.

She had been very hot and bothered by the time she reached the shower and was refusing to let her mind wander in the direction it had been going before the shower. Those things were inappropriate to think about before marriage.

Well, that's what she was trying to convince herself of anyways.

"We're here Rae."

Raven looked up and saw that they were indeed in the park. She snapped the book shut (like I snapped my legs shut around his leg) and got out of the car with it in hand (his hand wrapped around my own as he pinned me down). She stepped back and opened Emelia's door (he was going to open my door all the way) and unbuckled her daughter (he unbuckled his belt and slowly slid it off, intent on using it on m-THWACK).

Thank you. Raven thought with a sigh.

That's what I'm here for. Anger replied.

I do believe that seven percent increase might have been a mistake… Knowledge murmured.

Gee, ya think? Rude said sarcastically.

By this point Raven had Emelia out of the car and shut the door. Garfield came up and took the little girl with one hand while Raven took the other. Together they walked into the park and surveyed the damage the park workers were trying to clean up.

"Man, you really did a number on this place dude." Garfield murmured.

"That I did." Raven replied. She spotted the man who was in charge (recognizable by the lack of work he was doing) and dragged then beeline straight for the man. When they got there Raven explained the situation to him, that she was going to try to fix all the damage with her magic. He was more than happy to let her do all the work.

"You two stay here." Raven instructed as she telekinetically uprighted a bench for them to sit on. Both sat and watched as Raven went to a tree and murmured words in a language neither understood. She did this perhaps a dozen times before a tree finally shook and floated up. From all around them dozens and dozens and dozens of leaves flew up from the ground and back at the tree. They watched as not only was the tree was repaired, but the leaves were too. Both looked questioningly at Raven in the distance. She obviously felt their stares, because she answered them.

"A time reversal spell set specifically on this object." She said as she moved to another tree. "This will take a bit, so get comfortable."


"Daddy, I'm bored." Emelia whined.

"Me too, but mommy is almost finished." Garfield said as he pointed at Raven way off in the distance. She had just a few trees left. The ground wasn't effected by the spell, so the park workers had to fill in the holes around the tree roots with old and new soil. The good thing was that there was enough of them running around that they were almost keeping pace with Raven.

"Can we get some ice cream?"

Garfield thought about it for a few minutes. Raven had been at this for a couple of hours now and it was past lunch time. She would probably be tired more than hungry, but then again maybe not.

"We eat real food, then get ice cream." He finally said. "Think about what you want to eat, okay?"

"Okaaaaaay!"

Garfield chuckled to himself and rubbed Emelia's head. She was a good kid, so unbelievably easy to take care of. But that was probably because what Slade had engineered her for.

These attacks on Emelia and Martin were making Garfield very, very angry on the inside. His kid was constantly being put in danger by these wackjobs of villains and it was all because Slade was pissy that he lost to them again. He would absolutely love to get his hands on Slade after yesterday's little fiasco, wrap his hands around Slade's neck and squeeze until his head popped off then-

"Well that should do it."

Garfield looked up to find Raven floating towards them, looking just as tired as he thought she would be. He picked Emelia up and set her in his lap and patted the spot beside him. Raven nodded and sat down next to him and wearily lay her head on his shoulder.

"Got them all?" He asked.

"Mhm. Even did the bushes too, and the playground." She replied. "Need to sit for a few minutes, then we can get something to eat and go home."

Garfield chuckled. Raven didn't have super senses like him and Emelia, but her empathy had told her Emelia was hungry nonetheless. He wasn't surprised.

"Look mommy, its miss Rose!" Emelia said, pointing off to the side.

Raven audibly groaned before she turned to look like Garfield did.

Sure enough, Rose was in the distance. She was wearing an orange tank top, black shorts, and had her hair in a ponytail as she walked into the park. Garfield could see that she looked surprised about the trees as she strapped an Ipod to her arm and popped in a pair of headphones. She started doing some stretches and Garfield thought it wise to not watch anymore.

"I can't see that far, what is she doing?" Raven asked, wondering if there was time to leave before she noticed them. She wasn't in the mood to deal with this girl today

"Looks like getting ready to jog." Garfield replied. "She never did have a set schedule for that, just whenever she felt like it."

Raven grumbled something relatively derogatory about the girl and Garfield had to suppress a grin. She really was the jealous type and he thought it was kinda funny.

"Wonder if she already got her car towed?" He mused out loud.

"She might as well follow it to the dump, where they both belong." Raven muttered.

Garfield chuckled one more, but it died on his lips when Emelia piped up. "Let's ask her, Daddy!"

Raven started. "What?! No!"

But it was too late, seeing as Emelia concentrated on the distant girl and sent out a telepathic message. Both Raven and Garfield watched as Rose staggered mid jog and rolled to the side. There was a glint off something metallic in her hand and Garfield realized that she had pulled a switchblade from somewhere. Her roll brought her to a kneeling position and she sat stone still for a moment before she looked around.

When she finally spotted them in the distance, Garfield could actually hear her sigh of relief. He also saw her wrist flick as she snapped the blade shut, then tuck it into her cleavage.

"Oh no." Raven groaned as Rose got up and started jogging over to them. "Why me?"

"Aw, come on Rae. We say hey then we go eat. Okay?" Garfield kissed her head before standing up., setting Emelia down in front of him. Raven sighed and stood up too.

"I thought I was going crazy there for a moment!" Rose said as she got to them. "Not cool, Emmy."

"Sorry Miss Rose." Emelia giggled.

"Uh huh, sure. So, you guys fixed the park?"

"Rae did yeah." Garfield said. "We're fixing to go get lunch then its back to the tower."

"Cool, cool. I'm just here for a jog since my car got crushed. Back to walking for me until its fixed."

Garfield raised an eyebrow. "They can fix that?"

Rose shrugged. "Sort of? It's a little complicated…"

Raven tuned them out and instead watched Emelia as the little girl skipped over to the grass and flopped down. She couldn't keep the amused smile from her face as Emelia rolled around in the grass. She didn't mind if Emelia got a little dirty, she was just too adorable right now. Eventually she lay belly down on the grass and began talking to what appeared to be a bug. A grasshopper, perhaps. Raven wondered if she could speak to animals. That was an amusing sort of power, but the practical applications were negligible-

"Beast Boy, what's wrong?"

Raven snapped her head to her boyfriend, who's nostrils were flared and ears standing erect. They started rotating in every direction as he started looking around.

"Gar?" Raven said, reaching out to grab his shoulder.

"We've got company." He said. "I smelt them when the wind changed, but there are so many people running around and sweating right now that I lost the scent."

"Who is it?" She asked as Rose dipped a hand into her cleavage and pulled out a butterfly knife. The movement to unfold it was too quick to follow for Raven, but she did appreciate the girl arming herself to defend them.

Garfield stopped dead for a moment and concentrated. "It's-"

"MUMBO JUMBO!"

There was no time to react as the bench beside them exploded into motion, wrapping around the two Titans and their friend and pulling them face to face. Naturally the three tried to wriggle free, but it squeezed tighter with each movement.

"Emelia, run!" Raven shouted as she looked around for their attacker. The little girl bolted, but she got no more than ten feet before the grass grew up and entangled her.

"Mumbo! Get out here!" Garfield growled.

The old and blue skinned magician stepped out from behind a tree with his signature goofy, but evil, smile. He bowed, tipping his hat and waving his wand. "Why hello there Titans! I see you're a little tied up, so we'll make this quick!"

"I'm going to stab him just on the principle of how bad that joke was." Rose gritted her teeth as she tried to pull her pinned arms free. They were at her sides, just like Garfield and Ravens were, the bench wrapped from hip to shoulder.

Raven looked at the girl was literally face to face with her on the left, there noses touching and lips mere inches apart. "I'd prefer that you drop the knife before you cut me, first."

Rose grunted and complied, dropping it so that it went blade first into the ground.

Mumbo appeared to Raven's right, his face poking in between hers and Garfield's. "You know what they say, kids, two company, three's a crowd, but fours a party!"

"I'm pretty sure the three of us can have plenty of fun on our own, thank you." Rose snapped. Garfield actually did snap bared fangs at the magician, but he pulled away just in time.

"Naughty naughty Titans!" He cackled before turning away. "Mother, these children are being rather rude today! Shall we punish them?"

To Raven and Beast Boy's horror, Mother Mae Eye, in all her green and warty glory, walked out from between some bushes. Raven immediately dropped a bubble of dark magic around Emelia, protecting her from further harm.

"The hell is that?!" Rose asked.

"Now Mumbo, we don't have time for these naughty children today. Buuuutttttttt…." The old witch called as she looked at the trapped teens. "One of them has a dirty mouth! Mother must punish her!"

"Excuse me?!" Rose looked both disturbed and disgusted at the thought, but it gave way to horror as a fair sized wooden spoon floated over to them.

"Give her a good one!" Mumbo cheered.

Rose started struggling even more, tightening their bonds. "Raven! Can't you phase through this thing?!"

"It's a type of constriction spell, if I do that it might crush you two!" Raven replied as she watched the spoon float behind Rose. "If Beast Boy shrinks it might do the same thing!"

"Can't reach my communicator." Garfield mumbled as he too wiggled.

Raven's mind was racing for a solution when the first strike from the spoon hit Rose. Judging from the look on her face (and Mother Mae Eye's cackle) it was more than a little painful. But it didn't stop with one, another landed on her too, then another and another. It just kept hitting her over and over again.

"Rose, where's it hitting you?" Raven asked with as little bit of breath as she could, it was getting hard to breathe.

"My ass!" Rose gasped, though it got her a harder whack the next go.

"Gar, I can't see where she's being to cover her with a shield, we're gonna have to do it." Raven said quickly.

"Why not just drop one over us and cut them off?" He grunted as he wiggled his arm closer to Rose.

"Cant concentrate enough, hard to breathe."

Garfield hesitated as a particularly painful smack made Rose tear up and whimper. He looked at Raven (briefly noting how gorgeous her eyes were this close). "You sure its okay for me to…"

"Just do it!" Raven snapped. She'd deal with the aggravation of Garfield touching another girl later, preferably after she dismembered these two idiot villains.

"Oh? Trying to help your friend, I see! Mother does approve of this, but Little Miss Raven shouldn't interfere with Mother's punishments!" Mother Mae Eye huffed. "Mumbo, be a dear and get the girl while I tidy up?"

"Anything for you, my darling!" Mumbo said as he leaned down and kissed her on the warty cheek. Then he ran over to Emelia's bubble and started poking it with his wand.

Raven swallowed all of her negative emotions and pushed her hand past Rose's and covered as much of her bottom as she could. She received a hard smack across her knuckles for it, one that brought tears to her eyes and may very well have broken a knuckle, if the immense amount of pain in her hand meant anything. Judging from the pained expression on Garfield's face, he too received smacks.

"When we get out of this, I'm going to kill her and buy you both lunch." Rose panted. "Sweet Christ, I've never been spanked so hard! My ass is going to be red for days!"

"Too much information, Rose." Raven grimaced as her knuckle was hit again. She was pretty certain it was broken now.

"It wouldn't be so bad if I was getting fu- shit!" Rose gasped as the spoon hit her lower than where their hands were. Raven felt something brush past her hand, but couldn't tell what it was until she heard another smack, because Garfield bit his lip. Mother Mae Eye called again.

"Is that a tentacle?" Rose asked, "Cause that feels really weird!"

"Yep." Garfield replied tightly. "And that one really hurt! We need to get out of here!"

Raven tuned out the pain as best as she could so that she could focus on a plan. Emelia was trapped in grass but shielded, and Rose, Garfield, and herself were constricted and being beaten. Raven couldn't concentrate on another shield while they were constricted and being hit and she couldn't phase through least the construction snap shut and crush her boyfriend and 'friend' (not that the loss of Rose would bother her much). Garfield might be able to slowly shrink down so that they weren't instantly crushed, but then that would open Rose back up for more abuse. Raven was certain the girl could actually take it, but still…how was she going to make this work?

She had an idea, but she hated every part of it.

"Gar." She whispered as she came back to a pain filled reality.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to drop the shield around Emelia and they're going to take her. When they leave, you're going to turn into small animals slowly until you can wiggle free. You must do it slowly, otherwise this damn bench will crush me and Rose. Afterwards, you're going to call for backup and go after them. I'll get Rose and I free and come as soon as I can. Understand?" She explained over the course of several minutes as she struggled for breath. Garfield remained tight lipped but nodded when she was done. She could feel his displeasure with her plan, matching her own, but it was one that would work. Rose listened in as well and nodded tersely when it was done.

Raven twisted her head until she could see Mumbo and Emelia's bubble, then waited for him to strike it again before releasing it. It shattered and revealed a frightened Emelia.

"We've got her!" Mumbo cried triumphantly as he scooped up the entrapped girl.

"We'll be on our way now, dearies!" Mother called out. "Be good this time!"

Garfield started shouting at them and Rose joined in. Raven stared at Emelia until she caught the little girl's eye and mouthed we'll be right behind you. Emmy could only nod, seeing as her mouth was covered with grass.

Within a few moments the villains had disappeared with her and Garfield began to change. He went from ape to dog to several other animals as slow as he could. Each time he changed and got smaller the pressure from the bench increased. He had to make sure he was careful, so for his last transformation he turned himself into a frog and popped out the bottom. He hit the ground hard and rolled, coming back up in his human form and turning around. "Raven, you guys o…"

He trailed off because the bench had squeezed the girls tighter than he expected, more than Raven expected. They were pressed hard together, chest to chest in a way that Garfield would have found rather suggestive if not for the direness of the situation. A nearby tree exploded, sending him ducking down, where he noticed that Rose's hands were grabbing and squeezing Raven's butt. His jaw dropped and he jumped up to ask Rose what the hell she was doing.

And that is when he saw his wide eyed girlfriend lip locked with a totally-into-it Rose.

He froze, of course, his brain having trouble processing what he was seeing.

Raven, however, jerked her head back.

"What the actual fuck, Rose?!" She shouted with all the breath she could muster.

"Sounded like a great idea at the time." Rose said cheekily. "Come on, Rae-Rae, I just got a spanking and your hands are all over my ass! You think I wouldn't be turned on right now?"

The look Raven gave her would have sent Batman running for cover.

Garfield finally found his voice, though his brain hadn't caught up to what was going on. "Y-you gonna be able to get out, Rae?"

"Just go." She said darkly. Garfield nodded and ran off as he pulled his communicator out and dialed the rest of the team.

This left a furious Raven standing there with a grinning Rose, which was not a good combination.

"Why did you do it?" She asked, legitimately struggling to keep calm.

"Because I wanted to." Rose replied, her grin never fading. "I have zero issues admitting that I find you sexually attractive and have even less issues admitting that I enjoyed the kiss."

"You just sexually assaulted me." He empath growled.

"Oh please, if I had done anything sexual to you, you'd be on the ground begging for more." Rose laughed. "I'm very talented with my tongue and fingers, you know. Besides, all I did was kiss you and grab that sweet ass of yours!"

Raven's response was anything but polite, seeing as she phased herself through the bench. The reaction from the constriction spell was immediate, snapping shut around Rose with a sound that resembled a rib cracking. Rose gasped and fell backwards, hitting the ground hard and struggling to breathe.

Raven loomed above her for a moment, the darker parts of herself screaming to punish the girl for her transgressions. Instead, she knelt down and grabbed Rose by the chin and forced her to look at her.

"Rose." She said in a soft that was somehow both threatening and comforting. "Should another stupid idea like that ever cross your mind again…don't."

Rose nodded furiously as she desperately tried to draw in air.

"Have we learned our lesson this time?" Raven asked. "Because I won't teach you another one."

Again Rose nodded furiously, but now she was seeing spots and couldn't focus on Raven.

Raven released the girl and grabbed ahold of the bench and began chanting words of power. Within moments it loosened and eventually fell away from Rose, allowing the girl to gulp down air like there was no tomorrow.

"Are you going to behave?" The demoness asked the (secret) assassin, her eyes tinted with red.

"Yeah." Rose wheezed. "Promise."

"Good girl." Raven said before she disappeared into a portal, leaving Rose alone on the ground.

"Bondage, spanking, and choking?" She laughed to herself a few minutes later. "Sounds like Raven should be top!"


"What…the hell?" Raven said as she descended into the shadowy alleyway where the other Titans were tying up Mother Mae Eye and Mumbo Jumbo. Both villains were remarkably pale and shaking, their auras absolutely full of fear, and their clothes torn to shreds. But these weren't claw marks from anything Raven had ever seen her boyfriend turn into…

"Not really sure, Rae." Garfield said walked over to her, Emelia in his arms and her arms wrapped around his neck once more. "They were like this when we got here."

"Um…okay?" Raven said uncertainly as Kid Devil (who she assumed teleported Robin and Starfire to this location) hoisted up a bound Mumbo. She looked at the terrified magician. "What happened?"

"Claws…teeth…darkness….so dark…so dark…" The old man mumbled as his hat toppled off. Raven reached down and picked it up and noticed his wand was laying on the ground nearby, absolutely destroyed. Mother Mae Eye's spoon was there too, also smashed. Raven stood back up and looked at the old witch/psychic vampire/whatever she was. The old villainess looked even more shaken up than Mumbo did.

"What happened?" She asked the old woman.

"Yellow eyes….purple eyes…angry eyes….so…hungry…." Mae Eye muttered and shook her head as she stared at the ground. "Mother can't feed them, no no, she isn't enough, so they let her go…they need more than what mother can give them…bad mother is bad…so hungry…"

Raven glanced at Garfield, who could only shrug.

They waited for the police officers to show up and haul the villains off before they headed back to the car. Kid Devil took Robin and Starfire home (making Garfield wonder what being teleported that way was like), so the trip was pretty quiet. Rose was nowhere in sight when they arrived, but a quick text revealed she went home 'massage herself back into functionality', whatever that meant. Raven sighed in relief as they got in the car to go home.

And Mister Spooky still sat there in the back seat, waiting to be buckled in.