Richard paced back and forth. Okay, okay. He reminded himself to breathe. His heart was racing a mile a minute, and he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He rubbed his face with both hands.

This was crazy. This was insane. He didn't know whether he should be annoyed, mad, or thrilled. He needed to talk to her. Wait! No, he couldn't do that. He didn't want to scare her. Maybe…maybe…he should wait it out.

Looking back at all the times he'd seen the worried looks on her face. He thought she was worried about his mental state - what these gifts were doing to him. It turns out she was concerned about what she was doing to him. And Bruce and Alfred…Richard scoffed. Traitors, he thought. He would get them for this.

Richard stopped pacing. He needed to relax. If he were relaxed, then Raven would be relaxed. And maybe he'd be able to salvage what was left of this vacation. He needed to spend less time finding his true love and more time getting to know Raven.

Richard smiled. "Oh, I'm going to have fun with this," he muttered. He immediately frowned. The gift he bought for her paled in comparison. He couldn't gift her with a regular diamond necklace – not when she put in so much work to do all of…this. He began racking his brain for gift ideas. A lightbulb went off in his brain. Yearbooks were easy enough to download and find online. She was going to love this, and he was going to enjoy himself.

She shot up in her bed. He knew. He had figured it out. Her heart began to beat a mile a minute. She didn't know what to do with this information. She…or he didn't seem to be upset. If anything, he seemed more relaxed than he had been in days. She was also sensing…playfulness?

Today was the 21st. Christmas was the 25th. The ballet tickets were for the 23rd. The 2nd to last Christmas gift would appear early morning of the 24th. And a partridge in a pear tree at 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. She fell back onto her pillow. If she pulled this off, she would owe both Alfred and Bruce big time.

"Good morning," Richard greeted everyone brightly, strolling into the kitchen, his gait light and happy. Alfred and Raven both exchanged looks of confusion. This was the earliest he'd risen since they'd been here. 8 a.m. Also, he was happy. Too happy. "Morning," he smiled at Alfred before winking at Raven. "Raven," Richard said as he poured coffee into a coffee mug, glancing up in time to see her blush. "Where's Bruce?"

"He had an early meeting," Alfred answered slowly, studying Richard. "Forgive me, Master Dick, but have you ingested any substances I should be aware of?"

"Ha-ha," Richard rolled his eyes. "I'm not on drugs."

Alfred didn't look convinced. He turned to Raven; her eyes flashed white. "He's telling the truth," Raven confirmed.

"Guys!" Richard looked between the two of them incredulity. "I'm not on drugs! I haven't been that broody since we've been here."

"Maybe a personality making its appearance?" Alfred turned to Raven.

Once again, Raven's eyes flashed white. "No, he's stable," she said. Alfred raised a brow. "Well, as stable as he can be."

"Guys!" Richard began, but he stopped when he saw the twinkle in Raven's eye and the smirk on Alfred's face. "Good one," he stated passively. "Anyway…Raven, I thought we could go skiing."

"Skiing?" Raven repeated, horror and worry appearing on her face. "I can't ski."

"I know," he smiled. "I'm going to teach you." The expression that crossed Raven's face made Richard want to laugh, but he kept himself composed.

"I'm going to break my neck," Raven stated.

"No, you're not," Richard disputed.

"Yes, I am."

"You'll be fine," Richard grabbed a slice of bacon off of her plate.

Raven looked so distraught, he almost felt bad. "This is a bad idea," she finally spoke, "you should be worried."

"Worried? Why would I be worried?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"There will be other skiers around; I could hurt someone. This isn't a good idea. I know I come across as someone who is in perfect control of her appendages, but I am not. You saw that with the ice skating," she tried to reason with him.

"You fell three times," Richard sat in the chair next to her rather than across from her.

"Five-year-old children were laughing at me." Richard rolled his eyes as Raven continued.. "Do you know how humiliating it is to get laughed at by a five-year-old?"

"I do not," Richard smiled cockily, taking a piece of fruit off her plate and popping it into his mouth. "You were fine. She was fine," Richard turned to Alfred, who was obviously eavesdropping even though he pretended to be washing dishes. "You'll be fine," Richard said. "No one will get hurt."

"'No one will get hurt.' And how, may I ask, do you know that?" Raven asked, a bit of humor in her voice.

"Because we'll be the only ones up there," Richard's eyes danced joyously as he leaned into her personal space.

"Will you be taking the helicopter, Master Richard?" Alfred asked. "Should I call the pilot?"

"No need to worry, Alfred," Richard said. "I've already done it."

"Hm," Alfred said, "keep doing things for yourself, and soon my place here will be obsolete."

"Don't be dramatic, Al," Richard smiled cheekily at the butler.

"You want me to ski from a helicopter?" Raven was horrified. "No," she shook her head. "Absolutely not. No."

"No," Richard laughed. "Bruce has a ski chalet…a small, private one," he explained. "It's an hour drive to the heliport, then a thirty-minute flight. There's even a mini ski lift."

"Richard…" Raven exhaled.

"It's not a huge slope," he grabbed her hands reassuringly, sensing her unease, "It's maybe 100 feet. Bruce used to have winter sleepovers with females who were not otherwise athletically inclined in any way. You won't die. Besides," Richard boldly placed a strand of hair behind her ear, caressing her face as he did so, "I'm going to be right there with you. I won't let you die. You know that."

"What – what if there's an avalanche?" Raven sputtered.

"You do still know how to teleport, right?" Richard asked.

Raven held up a waffle with her powers. "I will throw this waffle at you," she said, her face not flinching at all.

"You'll be fine," Richard gave her his most charming smile.," Richard almost begged. "We'll be back by nightfall. Tomorrow, I will take you to the biggest library in Gotham."

"Richard," Raven frowned, "you don't have to promise-"

"No," he sharply interrupted her, "I am taking you to the library tomorrow." He held Raven's stare.

"O-okay," Raven agreed. "But if I die, I will haunt you." Richard only smirked before standing. "Wait, what do I wear or pack for skiing?" Raven asked.

"You'll figure it out," Richard smiled, "I have faith in you. I need to gather the ski equipment, double-check everything. Is an hour enough time for you to pack?" Raven nodded dumbly. "Good. See ya soon." Richard left the kitchen with the same energy he had when he entered the kitchen.

As for Raven, she could only stare at the space Richard had been occupying in abject horror. This was…she couldn't…her plan. Raven stared at Alfred, silently pleading for him to get her out of this.

"Oh, Raven," Richard's body half appeared in the kitchen's entrance. "Do you have a swimsuit? There's a hot tub. You know what, it's fine if you don't," he waved it off. "Bruce always keeps numerous types of swimsuits from Europe still in their original packaging." He disappeared as quickly as he came.

Raven's head fell into her hands. This – this was going to be a complete disaster.

Five hours later, Raven found herself in a spaghetti top and hot shorts – not exactly ski material. Up until 45 minutes ago, Raven and Richard had been enjoying a nice, quiet ski. Then, Richard crashed into several trees. It took all of Raven's energy to retrieve him, heal him, and drag him back to the cabin. Now, she sat on a bathroom counter, healing the smaller injuries on his face. There was barely an inch of space between the two as Richard stood between her thighs. "I can't believe it," Raven tutted. "I thought you were supposed to be a pro," she laughed.

"I got distracted," Richard moaned as he felt the skin on his jaw repair itself. He stumbled a little, but quickly recovered.

"Richard, are you sure you don't want to sit?" Raven asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," he asked.

"So," Raven finished healing a gash on his cheek, "what was it that distracted my 'oh so fearless leader'? You're usually so focused."

Richard didn't answer immediately. He didn't know how to tell her that he was staring at her instead of focusing on the slope, and that's why he didn't see the rock and ended up in the trees. "I was just thinking," he said.

"About what?" Raven asked, leaning into him, checking Richard's head as she finished repairing his eye. Her scent enveloped him, and he unconsciously gripped her hips. Raven figured he was bracing himself. "Are you sure you don't want to sit?" she asked again.

"I'm good," Richard answered, "the pain is already subsiding."

"Okay, but if you pass out, I'm not going to revive you," Raven joked. Richard gave a half-smile. "I'm finished," she said, smoothing his hair.

Richard leaned over Raven's shoulder, staring at his reflection over her shoulder. "Wow," he said, "not even a scar." He leaned forward to get a better look, momentarily forgetting that Raven was still sitting in front of him.

"Maybe I should have left a small one. Girls seem drawn to guys that have one or two scars on their face," he felt Raven's breath on his neck as she spoke.

"Are you one of those girls?" Richard looked at her, holding her gaze. Neither moved an inch forward or an inch back. They stayed where they were, frozen, each waiting for the other to make a move.

It was Raven who looked away first. "I think you may have a small concussion," she spoke softly.

"Sooo…no sleep tonight?" Richard waggled his eyebrows.

"Contrary to what you may believe, you can sleep with a concussion," Raven said while fighting a blush. She was fighting the urge to put her hands on his chest. She felt dizzy, excited, and afraid.

Richard held her gaze, refusing to let her look away. "You really want to know what I was thinking?" he whispered, reaching his hand up to place a strand of purple hair behind her ear.

"If you want to tell me," Raven replied breathlessly, a small shudder working its way up her spine as Richard's hand fell to her jaw.

"You," Richard whispered as his lips gently brushed against hers once. Then twice. Then…his phone rang loudly. He reluctantly pulled away, but only after pressing one last kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"I'll…clean up in here," Raven motioned to the bloody towels and tissues.

"Thank you. I'll…get my phone." Richard was going to murder the person on the other end. "Hello," he nearly growled into the phone.

"Master Richard, are you okay?" Alfred asked.

"Yes," Richard's demeanor immediately changed. The old butler didn't deserve his wrath. "What's up?"

"I'm afraid you're going to have to cut your day with Ms. Roth short. An extreme blizzard will be passing through in two hours' time. The helicopter is on its way to you now."

"Okay," Richard said, expertly hiding the disappointment in his voice. "I'll let Rae know. Thank you." Richard ended the call. "Hey, Raven!" he called out. "We need to leave early! There's a blizzard on its way!"

"Okay!" he heard her call back. "I can't wait to tell Alfred and Bruce that you wiped out on a bunny slope!" Richard groaned. He was just happy she didn't have pictures.

Raven and Richard returned to the manor later that evening. Tired, sore, but in good spirits. "I am so glad you've returned safely," Alfred greeted. "Your assistance is needed in the kitchen." Raven blanched as Richard's face paled. "Oh, don't give me that look, you two," Alfred said, "I only need you to make shapes in the cookie dough."

"Cookie dough?" Raven looked at Richard for clarification.

"For the orphanage?" Richard asked.

Alfred nodded. "I am afraid I am running a bit behind."

"No problem," Richard shrugged. "We can help."

"Yeah," Raven agreed unconvincingly, "we can help."

"Despite having to call your ski adventure short, I hope you both had a time," Alfred said as the two Titans followed him into the kitchen.

"Oh, it was great," Raven beamed, not that Alfred could see her.

"That is wonderful, Ms. Roth," Alfred said as they entered the kitchen. "You must tell me all about it."

"That is something I can definitely do," Raven happily replied while Richard released an audible groan. This was going to be so much fun.

"Master Dick," Alfred spoke, "are you sure you should be standing?"

"For the last time, Alfred," Richard sighed, "I am fine."

"He refused to sit while I healed him," Raven spoke while stomping shapes into cookie dough.

"Master Dick-"

"Alfred, I'm fine. I promise," Richard interrupted, "Raven did an excellent job healing me," he added as he caught her eye. Raven looked away with a blush. "Anyway, Raven should be the one sitting," he added as an afterthought.

"What? Why?" Raven asked in confusion.

"I know how your healing powers work, Raven," Richard faced the empath. "You healed me, then dragged me into the cabin, where you healed me again. I know it took a lot out of you."

"I'm fine," Raven shrugged.

"Well, Ms. Raven…"

"I'm fine, Alfred," Raven reassured the friendly butler. "I've healed much worse."

"Comforting," Alfred stated dryly. "Well, besides Richard ending up among the trees, did anything else exciting happen?"

Richard and Raven exchanged glances before protesting simultaneously.

"If you say so," Alfred looked between the two, unconvinced. "Anyway," Alfred removed his apron and oven mitts, "I need to doublecheck that all is well with the catering. I will leave the fate of these cookies in your capable hands." He turned elegantly and strode out the kitchen.

"He may regret doing that," Raven muttered.

An hour or so later, the two young adult Titans were busy decorating Christmas cookies. "Oh," Richard said, "by the way. The night of the 23rd, we're going to see The Nutcracker Suite." Raven paused in her decoration of a snowman. "Your snowman looks like a yeti," Richard laughed.

"Back up," Raven said, "you're taking me to see a ballet?"

Richard nodded.

"You're going to sit through an entire ballet?" Raven asked him, disbelief coloring her voice.

"You were there when I showed you the two tickets," Richard said, not sure what she was playing at.

"I know," she blushed, "I didn't think you were going to take me," she said, her eyes betraying her happiness.

"I was told to," Richard said with a shrug, placing another cookie sheet in the oven.

"Your secret admirer told you to take me to a ballet?" Raven asked.

"Yep," Richard answered as he began rolling out more dough.

"Me, specifically?" Raven asked for clarification.

Richard looked at her with a smile. "You, specifically," he reassured her. Raven froze, her heart pounding in her chest. "Snowmen are very easy to decorate," Richard muttered, looking at Raven's work of art.

"You're taking me?" she repeated. Richard stared at her. She looked genuinely surprised, which confused him. He could have sworn…was she not his mysterious gift giver?

"Yes," Richard answered slowly, studying her as he did so. "I wouldn't go with anyone else." Raven sucked on her lower lip, fighting a smile. "Seriously?" Richard changed the topic back to her snowman. "That looked like a snowman when I took it from the oven."

"What time?" Raven asked softly.

"It starts at 6, but we should get there by 5:45. We should leave here by 5:00."

"Okay," Raven said, wanting to laugh and cry simultaneously.

"You weren't joking about your art skills," Richard stated.

"Shut up," Raven elbowed him playfully. "I'm doing my best."

"What were you trying to do?"

"Give him arms and boots."

"What's with the nose?" Richard pointed out.

"That's a cigar," Raven blushed.

"No, no, no, no. Give me the pipe," Richard tried to grab the frosting from her.

"No, you'll ruin it."

"I'll ruin it?" Richard asked, trying to yank it from her hand. The Titans soon began a tug-of-war game with the piping bag as the rope.

Meanwhile, Alfred and Bruce eavesdropped from the Batcave.

"They're going to destroy your kitchen," Bruce said to Alfred.

"I have complete faith in Raven's cleaning ability. Richard, not so much." Bruce laughed as Alfred continued. "I think we may be able to pull off this Christmas miracle."

"It will be a Christmas miracle indeed."

Around midnight., Richard sat on his bed as he towel-dried his hair. He had such a fun day; he couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun.

He and Raven kissed…almost kissed…it counted as a kiss in his mind. They skied. They made Christmas cookies. Raven's cookies looked like the Ghost of Christmas Future…or the Grudge, depending on how you tilted your head.

He smiled to himself. Raven may have understated her lack of art skills. He was about to climb into bed when he noticed a small present on his desk, decorated with red wrapping paper. He grabbed the gift and returned to his bed before unwrapping it. Opening the lid to the box, he found a piece of paper. Clever boy. Last-minute ski trip to throw me off my game. I had to improvise, something I do not like to do. But...I think you know who I am now. Here's your third day of Christmas present. Richard held up a large sandwich bag filled with small cookies, or should he say, little cookies in the shapes of ovals and chickens. The ovals were eggs, and the chickens were most likely hens. Richard laughed to himself. There was no way Raven made these. No way.