Chapter Four: Hours Before Midnight
Raven had purchased far more than just the perfect dress that afternoon. She had bought three skirts, a dozen tops, 2 pairs of pants, 4 pairs of shoes, enough make-up to fund a medium budget movie, and a barrage of hair do-dads, necklaces, earrings, rings, etc. All due to the great salesmanship of Madeline, who had now declared herself Raven's personal stylist… and would be at the tower at seven to help Raven with the party.
'Thank God the others will be gone by then!' Raven thought as she slipped silently into the dimly lit hallway. 'I'd deep six myself if they ever saw what was going to take place here…' She snaked into her room and tossed all the bags onto her bed, then hung up her dress, peeling the plastic covering off it. It really was a beautiful dress…
'I wonder what Beast Boy will think of me in it… I mean… he's never really seen me dressed up. Come to think about it… I've never really seen me dressed up.' She sighed deeply, then put it away in the closet.
"Hey, Raven?"
The girl choked, turning to stare at the door. So much for sneaking in quietly, she must have been spotted.
"Yeah?" She asked, quietly grabbing her bags and tossing them into the closet without a sound.
"Can I come in?"
Raven made a face at the door in surprise. Since when did he have the balls to question Raven for permission to enter her room? He's gotta be a lot braver than he looks.
"Ah… Starfire said you wanted to see me?"
Raven glared at the door angrily. So, Starfire set this up… oh was she going to get it big time later. She knew better than to send Beast Boy to her, especially after the talk they had this morning. She glanced around her room, making sure all of her 'new things' were hidden, lest they be seen by any other human being.
"Um… I guess…"
The door opened slowly and Beast Boy poked his head in, looked around carefully, and then entered. "Ah… hi."
"Um… hey."
The silence was awkward as Beast Boy stood there, looking around her room, as if not sure what to say or do next. Stupid Starfire, she should know not to meddle by now.
"So… what did you want to talk about…?" He asked, shifting uncomfortably in the center of her room. He felt as though he were under Raven's constant and harsh scrutiny.
Raven thought for a moment, then realized why Starfire sent him to her room. She needed to say some important things to him. Taking a deep breath she motioned Beast Boy to sit next to her. He looked shocked, then slowly made his way across the room and sat down next to her on the bed.
"Um…" He said carefully, after another moment of awkward silence. "I'm sorry about yesterday… you know, if I insulted you or anything. I just really thought you looked beautiful…" He spoke all of this to the floor, trying to hide his red face.
Raven bit her lip, hoping against hope that nothing would explode. He had complimented her yet again, and only succeeded in making her stomach flop around like a fish out of water. She took a deep breath, then finally spoke to her companion.
"No…" She stated finally. Beast Boy looked up at her surprised and confused by what she had said.
"I was… I really like it when…. thank you for the compliment." Raven's cheeks burned brightly, and her door suddenly flew open. She cringed and went to go close it, hoping that he didn't make the connection.
"Beast Boy?" She said as she went back to her bed.
"Yeah?" He had found the courage to look her in the face now, although his eyes were constantly searching her own.
"I want to apologize for the way I've been treating you… It's not fair to you…" She felt her cheeks turn red again, and the door flung its self at the wall again. Raven sighed, then closed and locked it, hoping the lock wouldn't break next time.
'Wait…' she paused, looking back at the door. 'I just locked myself in a room with Beast Boy… uh oh…' Swallowing hard, she looked at him to see if he noticed the same thing. Thank God his face was as blank as ever.
"I'm sorry…" She whispered. She heard the door struggle on its hinges to open. "I really made you hurt… didn't I?"
"Yeah."
That one word made Raven want to cry. She caused him pain.
"But… I forgive you Raven… because… I love you."
Raven choked on her breath and she stared at him in shock as he stood up and started for the door.
"W… what?" Raven asked, her breath shallow and sticking painfully to her chest and throat. She could hear the steel door creak from the strain of her powers.
"I love you…" He turned back to the dark girl. "And… it's okay that you don't love me… because, I respect you and your feelings." He smiled painfully at her, as if saying all that had been a battle. "Well… I guess I'll see you tonight then…" He reached for the door, but Raven jumped forward and grabbed his hand.
"Stop!"
The silence was heavy, and Beast Boy looked shocked.
Raven swallowed, then looked at his hand in hers. "I said I was sorry, Beast Boy… but you deserve an explanation… I… I have trouble controlling my powers when I'm with you… and… I just… I fear for your safety."
Beast Boy smiled, then inched closer and brushed her hair out of her face. "Don't." With that he leaned forward and kissed her.
On the lips.
And of the French variety.
Raven gave into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly, and just feeling everything. She just wanted to feel… without fear.
Beast Boy pulled away suddenly, his face burning bright red. "I'm sorry… I really shouldn't have done that…" he rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepishly at her. "Sorry… you're probably really pissed at me."
The door suddenly flung open as Raven's face burned red and her control was lost… again. Beast Boy stared in shock at the door, then back to Raven.
"Yep… I think that constitutes your anger…" He inched toward the door. "Um… see you tonight!" He slipped out quickly, fearing Raven's nonexistent wrath.
"Ah…" She whispered. "Thank you…" Her cheeks burned red and the door flung open again, making a loud noise, and a hole, in her wall.
"Damnit!" Raven cursed.
- - -
"Raven! Hey, Raven, are you ready? We're leaving!"
Raven stepped out of her room to look down the hall at her friends. All of them were dressed up and looking as stylish as ever. Robin, Beast Boy, and even Cyborg were sporting very crisp looking tuxedos (Raven wondered where exactly they found a tuxedo jacket large enough for Cyborg) , and Starfire was dressed in a floor-length purple gown.
"Raven, you are not ready." Starfire stated the obvious, blinking in surprise.
"I'm coming later. My outfit isn't dry yet." She chanced a look at Beast Boy, who met her eyes for a moment, then turned away blushing.
"Oh… are you going to wear your uniform?" Robin asked calmly, hoping that.
"Ah…"
"Hey, come on, Raven," Cyborg started in, pleading with the dark girl. "It's black tie, just for once wear a suit or something."
"I'll be there an hour or two after you get there, okay?" Raven said calmly, deciding not to respond to Cyborg's plead.
"I'll have Bruce send you a limo," Robin said, pocketing his Titan communicator.
"That's not really necessary-"
"It's a long fly from here to his place." He stated practically, and giving her a look that said 'I'm suspicious'. "Give me a call if something comes up, okay?"
Raven sighed and gave in. "Sure. You guys have a nice time."
"You're going to come… right?" Beast Boy asked.
Raven's cheeks flared as she thought of his kiss before. 'I'll only go if you kiss me some more…' she thought slowly.
"Of course."
"Well then…" Starfire sighed, as if very disturbed by the fact that Raven wasn't coming with them. "We will see you later."
"Bye."
They walked to the T-car and all got in, then drove off, leaving Raven to let out a huge sigh of relief. After a few quiet moments, the doorbell rang. Raven rushed to get it and opened it to look into the smiling face of Madeline.
"Sorry I'm early."
Raven shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Let's just get started…"
- - -
"Viola!" Madeline smiled at Raven's reflection. "Prettier than a princess."
Raven's hair was piled neatly on her head in a mound of lavender curls, accented by dark blue jewels. She had on a rather large dark blue necklace that looked vaguely familiar of Titanic, and matching earrings. She was dressed in the gorgeous dress from the department store and beautiful stiletto sandals that laced up to her knees.
Raven blushed deeply at her knew 'hot' look, then turned to Madeline.
"I feel really bad about you coming over to do this." Raven said, looking at her sadly. "You don't have to be my personal stylist."
Madeline shrugged calmly in response. "Hey it's not like I have a boyfriend or anything. What else am I gonna do on a Saturday night? Besides I enjoy being a stylist to a star!" She teased playfully.
"Mm…" She suddenly got an idea, turning back to Madeline, she proposed a question to her. "Hey, do you wanna come to the party with me? You know as thanks and all?"
Raven thought Madeline was going to choke from lack of oxygen. Her eyes went wide and she stared at her 'patient' for several long moments before Raven reminded her to breathe.
"Go?" Madeline said in pure shock. "To the Teen Titans-JLA party!? That's like… the BIGGEST A-list party EVER! Everyone in the world tries to go but few of them actually get there! I've never known anyone who's gotten to go! "
"Oh… right." Raven sometimes forgot how popular the Titans were, she was just so used to being herself and staying locked in the tower that she forgot how the world idolized them.
"So," Raven began again. "Do you wanna go or not? I don't think Bruce will really care if you come. Since you'd be with me and all-"
Madeline jumped forward in a flash and embraced Raven. "YES! I wanna come! I REALLY wanna go! But what will I wear! I didn't bring a dress or anything!"
Raven shrugged and stood up. "Just borrow one of Starfire's, it's not like she's wearing it or anything. Come on." She led her down the hall and into the pink, fuzzy room of doom.
"Here…" She tossed a light pink dress at Madeline. "You guys are about the same build, I think you'll be fine."
Madeline put on the pink dress and smiled and her reflection, then with a few quick twists of her hand, and some magic bobby pins, her hair was done in a beautiful mound of brown twists and curls. Raven would die for hair like that.
"So…" Madeline asked carefully, turning back to the dark girl. "I can really come?"
"Well… yeah… I mean I didn't invite you for nothing." Raven walked back to her room and grabbed a rarely worn black cloak from the back of her closet. She threw it over her shoulders just as she heard the door-bell ring.
"That's the limo Robin sent."
"Robin sent a limo…?"
"You're really shocked by all of this, aren't you?" Raven asked as they walked into the lift downwards. Madeline nodded vigorously.
"Well, yeah! You guys are like… the untouchables. We only read about you in magazines and tabloids. No one actually gets to hang out with the Titans."
"Well, consider yourself blessed then."
Madeline grabbed her coat as Raven answered the door.
"Mr. Wayne's limousine, at Mr. Robin's request, Miss Raven." The man bowed deeply to both Raven and Madeline.
"This is my guest," Raven said to the driver, "Miss Madeline Swarez. She will be accompanying me to and from the party."
"Yes, Miss Raven." He walked to the door of the limousine and opened it for the two of them. Raven and Madeline slipped inside the large automobile.
"Excited?" Raven asked Madeline as the car started to the highway.
She grinned in response. "Ecstatic!"
- - -
(AN: Hey guess what everybody! I've watched a total of like three JLA episodes in my LIFE. I used the only chatachter whose personality I could remember. Anyway, if the characters are OOC, don't blame me, 'cause I don't know what I'm doing. I just write the story. Thank you, Come again!)
"Dude…" Beast Boy said, his head nearly becoming a centerpiece on the table. "It's only been an hour and already I'm bored out of my mind."
Cyborg smiled charmingly at a group of beautiful women, they all blushed and giggled, then waved daintily back.
"Funny," Cyborg said, watching the women talk amongst themselves. "I'm not… check out these women, BB!"
"Cyborg, I hate to break it to you, but they all look the same. They're all blonde, thin, dressed in Armani or Versache, and look like they've spent far too many hours at the beach." Beast Boy sighed and slumped deeply in his chair. "I seem to remember it being like this last year."
"Probably was. Hi, Cyborg; hey, BB." A man sat down across from the two Titans.
They both looked up and smiled at the man sitting across from them.
"Hey, Flash. What's going on?" Cyborg asked.
"I'm taking a break from checking out the scenery." He held a glass of Chardonnay in his hand as he watched a pretty brunette smile and blush at him. "I love scenery." He took a sip of his wine. "So what are you two doing?"
"Very little…" Beast Boy stated grumpily.
"Robin looks like he's having a grand old time." Flash pointed to Robin and Starfire, who were dancing close and whispering things in each other's ears. It was sickening just how happy they actually looked.
"Yeah well, that's them."
"Hey," Cyborg said. "I'm having a nice time-" He stopped suddenly and looked up the grand staircase, only to look upon two beautifully dressed maidens just entering the ballroom.
"Woah!" Flash stood up to get a better view. "I guess fashionably late is a good thing. Check those hotties out!"
"I thought everyone had arrived… who are they?" Cyborg asked in shock.
Beast Boy looked up and felt shock cool his body. He knew those deep eyes, no matter how much perfect make-up shaded them. It was Raven…
And damn! Did she look hot!
"Is that Raven!?" Cyborg questioned his green companion, looking just as surprised.
Beast Boy nodded, his mouth starting to fall open as he stared at her some more.
"That's Raven!?" Flash asked in surprise, as he turned back to Cyborg and Beast Boy. "She did not look like that last year. I would have remembered."
"Nope. She did not look like that last year." Cyborg said, shaking his head.
"Raven!" Starfire left Robin and rushed up the stairs to greet her fellow Titan and friend. "Raven, you look beautiful! What has spurred such a change?"
Raven blushed slightly, quickly deciding to avoid her question. "Thank you, Starfire." Pause. "So, um… how late am I?"
Starfire shrugged slightly, barely noticing that Raven had refused her question. "I do not think you are very late." Her eyes darted behind Raven to focus on the companion. "Who is your new friend? Did she help you today with your dress and make-up?" She nodded to Madeline, who was just gaping around the ballroom.
"This is Madeline." Raven stated calmly.
Madeline jumped at the sound of her name, then turned to Starfire and blushed, extending her hand politely. "Hello."
Starfire looked from Raven to Madeline, then jumped forward and enveloped the girl a hug. "Any friend of Raven's is a friend of mine. You have done such a wonderful job of making Raven up. Come! You must meet the rest of the Titans." She grabbed both Madeline and Raven's hands, then lead them down the sweeping staircase.
Raven felt as if all of the eyes in the ballroom were on her and she suddenly wished she had at least kept her cloak on. She felt strangely revealed as people watched her, whispering to one another.
"Raven!"
She smiled at the familiar voice, then turned into the well-shaped face. "Hello, Flash." She said politely. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good. What about you?" He approached Raven as Starfire took Madeline to be introduced to Cyborg.
"Well enough."
"Hey, listen… I was hoping maybe we could dance together later, or something." Flash said, flashing (no pun intended) one of his famous smiles at her.
Raven shook her head. "I don't really dance, Flash. But thanks for the offer."
"Oh…" he looked put out for a moment, then shrugged it off as a skinny blonde walked by. He quickly made a decision to go and follow her. "Well, have a nice evening. See ya around." He waved before disappearing into the crowd after the blonde.
"He was hitting on you."
Raven turned to look into a pair of familiar deep green eyes. She blushed innocently, then cringed as she heard a wineglass shatter. "I know," She said carefully.
"Hm… so does that mean I can hit on you too?" He grinned playfully.
CRASH
A centerpiece had just exploded.
"Huh?" Raven questioned, eyes wide with surprise.
Beast Boy took another step forward, eyes never wavering as a playful smile spread across his lips. "You look simply divine this evening, Miss Raven… may I have the honor of a dance?" He offered his hand, and for an instant Raven almost took it. However, she instead just batted it away and smiled playfully back at him.
"You know I don't dance, Beast Boy." She stated practically.
"Yes," He said without flinching. "I know. If you turned me down I was going to ask for a walk from the fair maiden…" He paused, his smile fading slightly into seriousness. "I think we need to talk…"
"Yes…" She whispered. "We do…"
- - -
HA HA HA HA HA!!! Just for everyone who wrote a review and told me how much they liked my story… I got this one out for you really quick. (In all honesty I didn't have anything to do this weekend but write some more… God my life is sad…) Thank you so much for all your support and I really hope you continue to read the story!
With Lots of Love: Xaphrin!
PS: I don't own Teen Titans… cause if I did… well, Terra would by squished by a rock and Beast Boy would be free to choose Raven… or me. ::Thinks:: … Preferably me.
PSS: I don't own JLA.... I don't have anything funny to say about it, cause I don't watch the show but...::shrugs:: eh, whatever,