Chapter 13 – A New Beginning
A/N: Heh, here's the chappy. Enjoy.
Today was the day.
After the morning's little wake-up call, he decided that he was going to tell her today. He had waited over a month to get to this point. No, not even…since the day he laid eyes on her. He always kept a respectful distance, but he knew he couldn't just sit there and wish and want forever. He had to act on his feelings, be spontaneous, be…totally not himself; be vulnerable. It would put him in the position of either getting a girlfriend or most likely losing a friend – and it was a risk that he was starting to want to take. He had a chance – he had to keep telling himself that. It was the only way he could keep his nerve.
She was in a good mood when she left; maybe she still was. It would probably help him get it out. Seeing her smile…it was a rare treat that now only he was able to see. Raven wondered to himself why Sam WAS in that good mood…what breakthrough did she speak of? And then a thought struck him – what if it was the realization that she wanted Rob still? What If he was too late…?
The thought made him shudder, and then suddenly, as if she knew he was thinking of her, she burst in, the same smile of the morning on her face as before. And then he saw her hair.
"…SAM! What the hell happened to your hair?!" he cried out, shocked. She smirked, tilting her head slightly.
"Don't like it, Rav? It was kind of spontaneous. 'Least the girl didn't screw up my hair, huh? Perfect highlights and all." She nodded proudly.
"It's nice…I just wasn't expecting it." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Still in a good mood?"
"You bet. It's been a real deep soul-searching kind of day." She explained. "I figured a few things out, you know? You'd be proud, Rav. Really." She nodded.
"…Soul-searching, you say?" he furrowed a brow. He didn't like the sound of that.
"Yes." She moved closer to him. "Lots of it. Wanna know what I figured out?"
He eyed her. "Do I?"
"You act like I'm going to tell you news like I'm going to get a sex-change operation or something. Don't be all suspicious!" she grumbled. He eyed her. "And no that isn't what I was going to say."
"Hey, I didn't say anything." He offered, trying not to grin. He felt a little less nervous, seeing her in person. He didn't actually know why.
"Anyway, so I decided – no more pining over Rob. It's what I was doing, you know. I am just hurting myself when I bother myself with that problem. Pretty cool, huh?" Raven instantly perked up. That meant he had an even better chance now…
"Really? No more going around killing people in your path?"
"Oh, no, I'll still be doing that, no doubt." She smirked. "I'm not going soft, just being less broody."
"Oh." Raven rolled his eyes. "Well, I suppose it's a start."
"I'm not done, here! Jesus, can't even get out a speech with you." She pouted with much fakeness.
"I'm listening." He leaned against the bed frame. "Continue. Don't let me stop you."
"I figured one more thing out." She explained slowly.
"And what's that?" he inquired, watching her.
She moved to him and just kissed him, and she didn't even notice how fast he froze. It was, of course, because at the moment of connection his heart probably would have leapt out of his throat if it was anatomically possible. He fumbled pushing her away, and she gave a half-grin as he stared at her in total, utter amazement.
"What are you doing?" he asked, exasperated.
"I'm frisking you, what do you think I'm doing?" she asked sarcastically.
"Oh."
"I'm kidding!" she groaned. "I figured actions speak louder then words, but apparently you're as clueless as Rob." She rolled her eyes. "I just kissed you. Ya know, when two people get really close –"
"I know what a kiss is." He snapped, breathless. "But you're kissing me. And it wasn't one of those friendly nice kisses, it was one of those…"
"Yes. 'One of those' fits the description nicely." She agreed. "See, I was thinking about it. You have always been there for me. And I never noticed it. I mean, I noticed it, obviously – since I was present, but I didn't consciously notice it because I was too busy with the 'woe is me' crap. But I realized something today – you're awesome. You're the best person that I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Even during everything, you're the only one who can take it when I go insane. And it makes me think – I really love this guy, that's what I said to myself. I mean, it's cool if you don't look at me that way, totally cool. You can kick me out right now. But I figured you'd at least need to know that even though you don't believe it, someone out there really cares like that about you."
He stared at her, speechless.
"In fact, no need for words. I'll leave now before you go off on me for doing that." She suddenly realized what she had done that moment, and felt embarrassed for putting him in that position. "Sorry, Raven. I didn't mean…"
"Do you mean it, or am I going to be the rebound for Rob?" he asked as she turned to get her stuff. She looked at him again. "Because if that's your plan, if I'm some kind of scheme, as mean as that sounds, I wouldn't be able to take that. It would kill me."
"There's only a couple of people I could do that too." She said simply, and it was his answer. "And even though all this Rob crap, I still learned that it's wrong to fuck with certain emotions for power gain. Not even if they screw you over in the end."
"Oh. Okay." He nodded, understanding. "In that case, if you wish to continue kissing me, I give you full permission to have your way."
She felt her smile broaden. "Don't even need a signed consent form? Lucky me." She moved to him and gave him a light kiss. "Y'know, because paperwork is a pain in the ass sometimes."
"There is something wrong with you." He smirked, still a little flabbergasted at the events.
"I get that a lot." She agreed.
"And this is crazy." Raven pulled away a little. "This isn't going to work. I mean, god, I've always wanted this – you wouldn't believe how long I've wanted this – but us? Together? Insane. I mean, I don't want to be the one to burst the bubble but…"
"We could keep it low key." She pointed out idly. "If you think people might be weird about it…"
"Like your cousin?"
She had an amused look instantly. "Since when do you feel the need to be in with the family members?"
"Have you been ignoring everything your cousin has down to repel me? I mean, sure, they were incredibly flimsy and obvious, but it was all still there. How would he react when he finds out that we've been secretly dating, never mind the fact we've been dating at all…"
"What is he gonna do? You're a hardcore wrestler, you can poke him over with your pinky. Show some backbone, boy!"
"While I'm sure that has truth to it, I'm talking more about the acceptance factor. You know, because one Alliance member was enough, but two? Not a good track record here, and I highly doubt your cousin would be thrilled that his little cousin is yet again dating someone on the wrong side."
"Yes, because I really care what Captain Milk Boy thinks. You may have not noticed, but up until he found out me and Rob and going out…he hated Rob! And I still think he does, but he fears my wraith. Now all I need to do is beat that fear into him again, and bam! Acceptance ahoy. You're thinking a little into this, considering we haven't even had one date…"
"I hate to tell you Sam, but it's basically like you live with me. I think it's a little late for a first date."
"Details! Aren't you going to ask me out now? Hmmmm? Or do I have to do THAT too?" she tapped her foot testily.
"Give me a second to breathe, please." He groaned, exasperated. "At least Rob had a couple weeks to plan things. You just threw yourself on me."
"No time like the present. Procrastination is the first sin, I think. I wouldn't know, haven't been to church in like…forever. Not counting the happy wedding, because I had to. Or I didn't get free cake. Bastards."
She had turned from him, and at the last second she faced him again to see him smirking at her.
"Yes, Sam, the church is conspiring against it's disbelievers by posting the 'no cake' law." He rolled his eyes.
"Exactly." She paused. "BUT DAMN! What the hell are we getting off topic for? Ask me out! Even it's to Burger King! I want a crown…preferably one from a kid so I can tear it in front of 'em. That's entertaining, you know. Ha."
"…Sam, you worry me. Often. In fact, I think if I had a child, I would run for the hills in your presence. Because you emanate evil."
"If YOU had a kid, it would be sulking in a corner." She shot back with an innocent grin.
"And if YOU had one, it would have a couple of psychological disorders." He stated.
"…I know. Which is why I constitute a baby-free zone here. And no place is more innocent then a fast food restaurant." She grinned.
"That's hardly romantic."
"Romantic is for saps like the old one. Do I look like the romantic type? Do I?"
"Well actually…"
"Did I mention I can kill you in many ways?"
"No, not at all." He answered quickly.
"Okay, we can go to McDonalds then?"
"McDonalds? For a first date? What the hell is wrong with you?"
He gave her a deadpan look.
"…What? I said fast food, not rat food."
"Are you making this intentionally hard on me?" he pouted.
"Yeah, because it's funny when you get mad. Usually you're all calm and collected, like that Chinese guy on the Karate Kid!"
"The who?" he blinked.
"Ya know, the wise guru guy. Yeah. Or Yoda."
"Okay, I am not green, or only 3 feet tall. What's with the movie references?"
"I'm allowed to do them once and a while…and only movie characters seem to make a good description of you."
"A little green guy that talks backwards reminds you of me?" he asked, blinking.
"Why not?" she shrugged, smiling innocently. "Mm, whatever. Anyway, it's all good." She turned from him, smiling deviously. Under her breath, she continued to herself: "This'll show Rob. I can go on without that jackass."
"…Are you talking to me? I can't hear you." Raven asked. She turned around; the look instantly vanished.
"Nothing at all, just talking to my voices." She explained, gaining her another odd look. "I'm gonna go now. See ya later!"
She walked past him, humming a tune to herself.
"Hey wait! What about the…" the door closed behind her. "…date?" He sighed and shook his head. "Nevermind, I suppose."
She was thirsty. She had realized that when she went into the elevator. Really thirsty. So when she got to the lobby, she walked to the vending machine. Spike was there, and he skirted over, already cowering and horrified he was close enough to her that she could reach over and bash his face in. She smiled at him and waved, and he just stared dumbly.
She fumbled through her pockets. "Mm, no money." She said outloud. She turned to him. "Got any cash, Dudley?"
"N-No Sam! I'm so sorry! Don't kill me!" he whimpered.
"No problem." She shook her head. She backed away from the machine, and suddenly kicked the glass hard. It shattered around her foot and at that point Spike ran for his life. She watched him go and shrugged, turning her attention back to the machine. She grabbed a drink and walked away, as if nothing at all happened.
She bumped right into Chris.
The two stared at each other, not speaking. Sam hadn't talked to him since the day Rob…
"Did you smash in the machine?" he finally spoke, looking over her shoulder.
"Yep. Want a Snapple?"
"Hey! What's going on?" One of the workers at the hotel came over and looked at the mess. "Who did this?!"
"That would be me. Hi." She smiled sweetly. "See, the glass was in my way. You shouldn't put glass in front of stuff, it makes a mess."
"What are you, insane!?"
"Insane is such a harsh word…"
"I'm sorry, this is my mentally challenged sister. She didn't do this." Chris explained quickly. Sam glared at him.
"What the f…" he elbowed her and she rolled her eyes. "I like your nose…" She pointed at the man's nose and giggled insanely.
"She's got a rare disease. Chronic…lying and all that. The person who did it ran off that way." He pointed in the other direction.
"Oh, I'm sorry. That way? Thank you." The man ran off in that direction, and Chris sighed in relief.
Sam shoved him.
"Mentally challenged? Couldn't you think of a better excuse?!" she huffed.
"You know, one day you're going to get yourself into trouble and I'm not gonna be there to bail you out."
"Trouble? No way." She smirked. "I wasn't even in trouble now."
"You would have had to pay for the machine." He shook his head. "You don't change, do you?"
"I change! I have black hair now." She pointed out sarcastically.
"You aim to be a constant headache, don't you?" he sighed. She just smiled.
"Missed ya too, Chris."
He rolled his eyes. She smiled to herself, because she realized that perhaps today was the day everything would go back to normal.