Chapter 4

After a big meal Raven declared that she would sleep on the sofa that night, so as to spare Cyborg the agony of bringing the boxes up. The others went to bed and she curled up under the blankets.

The cold metal cuff on her wrist shone in the moonlight. She ran her fingers over it. This was the key. This was how she could now control her powers while still being able to show her emotions. This thin band of metal was her salvation.

Rolling over, she gazed out of the window. Her hair spread over the pillows and she decided that she should cut it again. The moon shone, casting dark shadows over the floor. She was exhausted, but sleep would not come.

A slight noise came from the door way. She sat bolt upright. It was Beastboy.

"Hey." He whispered. She smiled.

"Hi." He sat on the sofa next to her. They watched each other for a while. Beastboy reached out and touched her face.

"You've lost weight."

"Yes."

"Your hair's long."

"I'm going to cut it again."

"You look better with short hair." He agreed. She smiled. He did too, but questioningly.

"How do you do it?"

"What?"

"Control your emotions." She held up the cuff. He touched it.

"What is it?"

"Don't know exactly. But it controls them. Controls my emotions. I can express them, but they can't take my powers."

"Where did you get it?"

Raven looked away.

"In Europe."

"You went all the way to Europe?"

"Yes."

"What's it like?"

"It's nice. Parts of it, anyway."

"Cool." He didn't want to ask questions. He sensed that the subject was sensitive.

They sat in silence. Beastboy asked,

"That day in the store…?"

"Why did I run away?"

"Yeah." She considered the answer for a second.

"Because I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?" He asked, clasping her slender hand in his.

"Afraid that you wouldn't want me anymore. I told you to pretend I was dead. People don't come back from the dead."

He thought about her answer.

"But you did come back."

"I almost didn't. I was going to leave, when the card came down."

"Then I'm glad that the card did go down." Beastboy told her. She smiled.

An hour later they were lying side-by-side on the sofa. Beastboy watched her face. She smiled slightly.

"What is it?"

"I just want to keep watching you."

"Why?"

"Because I never want to forget this moment."

She closed her eyes and for e second Beastboy thought he had upset her. When her eyes opened they were filled with tears, but she was smiling too. He couldn't get enough of that smile. Her smile was pure beauty.

"I love you so much." She choked. He found his own eyes watering and he reached out for her, clasping her to him.

"I love you too. I pretended you were dead but I never believed it, not for a second." He said, kissing her forehead.

When the others came down for breakfast the pair was still in each other's arms.

"I'd forgotten I had this." Raven said, holding up the Bif Naked CD. Cyborg grinned.

"I kept it in perfect condition for you."

"Keep it." She told him. He frowned and she smiled.

"Keep it. A token of friendship." Cyborg grinned and hit her on the shoulder. She fell forward several steps.

They were moving her things back into her room. Raven straightened the covers on her bed and looked around. They were just about finished. Starfire finished arranging her books and floated over to her.

"Would you care for me to cut your hair now?" She asked. Raven nodded.  The guys watched in interest as Starfire carefully cut the hair to the length it had previously been. The dark locks of hair fell to floor. Raven watched them without an expression on her face. Beastboy picked a piece of hair up.

"I'll keep this." He said. Raven gave him a gentle smile and rolled up her sleeves. She was wearing a pair of baggy trousers and one of Beastboy's shirts, and it was slightly big for her. Her own outfit had been thrown out, being beyond all repair. Starfire had promised that they would go to 'The Mall of Shopping in order to purchase new clothing items'.

Starfire stepped back.

"I have finished!" Raven looked around and Beastboy handed her the mirror. She looked at her reflection and smiled.

"I finally look like me again."

"No you don't." Starfire said. Raven frowned.

"You are FAR too thin and horribly pale and are in need of a cheering up!" Starfire said matter-of-factly. They all laughed and Raven stood up.

"You're right, Star. I need some fun."

"Yeah, you do! I say we rent out a couple of movies, buy a whole load of snacks and pull a whole-nighter!" Cyborg said enthusiastically.

Starfire clapped her hands.

"Yes, that is a wonderful idea!" She proclaimed. Raven nodded.

"Why don't you guys go and pick some movies? I want to meditate for a while." Robin and Cyborg left. Beastboy hesitated and Raven smiled.

"Go. I'll be fine. Just make sure they're not all action movies, OK?"

"OK." Beastboy nodded and kissed her quickly before running after Robin and Cyborg. Raven turned away and stretched. Starfire hesitated and Raven asked,

"Do you want to meditate?"

"If it will not disturb you."

"It won't." Raven assured her.

She floated in a dark sky, stars studding the darkness. Raven chanted the words over and over. Azarath Metriom Zynthos.

She did not need to meditate thanks to the cuff, but she wanted to. It made her feel peaceful.

But there was something out there in the darkness. That's was new. Normally she was alone. But there was definitely something out there. Raven hesitated in her chanting.

"Who is there?" She called. But nothing answered. Raven had to get out. She didn't want to be in here with whatever it was.

"Raven?" Starfire's voice shattered the darkness. Raven's eyes shot open and she landed on her feet.

"Would you care for some herbal tea?"

Raven blinked several times, clearing her head.

"Yes. Please." Starfire left and Raven sat on the bed.

Who had been in her mind with her? She frowned. She'd have to find a way to sort it out. She couldn't have strangers in her mind. Too dangerous.  

"Raven! Our friends have returned!" Starfire called. Raven stood up and went to the door. She'd have to sort it out later. Right now she needed movies and an excess of candy.