After waking up the next morning, Starfire, thinking about the conversation from the other night, decided to talk to Raven.
Starfire's serious face brightened. "Yes! Robin told me he has feelings for me as well!" Raven listened patiently as Starfire rambled onnal voice answered.
Starfire opened the door to see Raven, meditating, legs crossed, above her bed. Raven lowered herself to a sitting position on her bed as Starfire spoke. "Friend Raven, I was hoping we might speak."
Raven read from Starfire's mind what she wanted to talk about. To forestall Starfire's questions, Raven addressed Starfire first. "Did you talk to Robin?"
Starfire's serious face brightened. "Yes! Robin told me he has feelings for me as well!" Raven listened patiently as Starfire rambled on in her utter delight. Then Starfire sobered. "Raven, what is it that I should do next? What does one do after feelings have been admitted?"
Raven considered Starfire's question a moment before answering. "I think, Star, that is for you and Robin to decide." Starfire's face fell slightly. Raven put a hand on Starfire's shoulder. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to be here if you need me for whatever reason, to talk or otherwise," Raven added.
Starfire smiled and hugged Raven. "Thank you."
Raven just smiled in return. "Let's go get some breakfast before the others start to wonder where we are."
As they walked down the hall, Starfire realized that Raven had completely avoided being questioned.
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Some time after breakfast, Terra walked up to Raven's door, then turned back around, again questioning her sanity. She stared at the door, debating with herself for the hundredth time about her decision.
She was just about to turn and walk away when Raven's voice called from behind the closed door. "Come in, Terra."
Terra cautiously opened the door. Raven was sitting on her bed reading a book, which she closed once Terra entered. "Sorry to bug you, but I needed to talk and Star's nice and all but…"
"I understand," Raven interrupted. "Have a seat." Terra did, and Raven waited for her to begin. When she didn't, Raven started for her. "You like Beast Boy."
Terra's eyes widened for a moment. "Oh, yeah. That whole mind-reading thing."
"Empathy," Raven corrected. "Never mind. That's not what you're here to talk about."
Terra nodded. "Do—do you think he likes me, as…more than a friend?" Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"I think, that is for him to tell you himself."
"But if he does care for me, why didn't he try to stop me from leaving?"
Raven was silent a moment before she spoke. "You did want to leave, didn't you? If that was what you truly wanted, who was he to keep you from that? The ultimate sacrifice for those you care about is putting their wants and needs before your own." Terra looked at her in shock, and realization at the truth of her words. "But," Raven added sternly. "I don't want to put words in Beast Boy's mouth. You should ask him."
Terra nodded. "I will." She stood to leave. "Thanks, Rae. You—you're a good friend."
"Your welcome. Thanks for trusting me. Know that my door is always open if you need to talk, even if it's not literally."
Terra smiled and closed the door behind her, glad she had come.
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In an attempt to find peace and quiet to meditate, Raven went to the roof. But she was soon interrupted by the opening of the door behind her.
"Raven? Are you up here?" Robin asked.
Raven let a silent sigh escape her before standing up and turning to face Robin.
"Sorry to disturb you, but… I just wanted to thank you for, well, getting me and Star together, I guess."
She nodded, but, sensing there was something he needed to talk about, she asked, "What is it?"
He released his own sigh, as if he had been hoping she'd ask him so he wouldn't have to be the one to begin. "Well, Star told me that you two talked and she repeated some of the things you said…"
She gave him a small yet reassuring smile. "I'm listening."
He gave an almost relieved smile in return and continued. "Well, I guess I'm kinda stuck on what to do next."
Raven nodded. "You may be uncertain, but imagine how Starfire must feel, not being from Earth. She knows little enough about our holidays; dating is entirely exotic to her. She's going to look to you for guidance." She paused. "But seeing as you're both so unsure, it seems that you will most likely learn together. I imagine that few experiences could make you closer."
Robin looked at her, in awe of her advice. She seemed to know just what to say. "Thanks, Raven." She waved off his gratitude. "Okay, I'll let you get back to your meditation," he said as he headed for the door.
"Good luck," she said, eyes already closed. "And, Robin, know that if you ever need to talk…"
He nodded. "Thanks." The door shut quietly behind him.
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Raven skipped lunch, so Beast Boy went to check on her. She'd been missing a lot of meals lately. Everyone had noticed.
"Hey, Raven?" Beast Boy called as he knocked on her door.
"What?" was the answer he received.
"I was just wondering if you were hungry. I brought you some tea…"
Raven opened the door, stepping to the side to allow him in. "That's your excuse?" she asked.
"Wha—what are you talking about?" Beast Boy knew she could see right through him.
She gave him a knowing look. Taking the tea she sat down on her bed. "So, what did you want to talk about? Terra spoke with you, didn't she?"
The Changeling looked flabbergasted at her words. "Yeah, but, how did you…"
"Never mind that," Raven interjected crisply. She softened her voice. "Why did you come here?" She was feeling like quite the consultant today.
"Well, actually, I went to Robin, first. But he said I should talk to you…" He looked at her. No scorn or annoyance was visible in her demeanor. She just sat, waiting patiently for him to continue, occasionally sipping her tea. "I like Terra, a lot. And now I know she likes me, too, which is great. But, what's next? I mean, a date seems kinda awkward, ya know?"
Raven nodded, thinking. Suddenly, an idea came to her. "Why don't you talk to Robin again. See if you two can't arrange a double date," Raven advised.
Beast Boy perked up. "Hey, Rae, that's a great idea! Thanks!" He rushed to the door, but stopped just before closing it. "Um, Raven? If I ever need to talk again, like this, ya know, would it be all right if…" He spoke slowly, uncertain.
Raven nodded. "Any time."
He grinned and left. Raven let out a tired sigh. Well, at least Cyborg shouldn't be coming to her with girl trouble.
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"So, what should we have for dinner tonight?" Cyborg asked. Everyone was gathered in the living room.
"Um, actually, Cy, Star and I are going out on a date along with Terra and BB. Sorry we didn't tell you earlier."
Cyborg was surprised, but he had seen this coming. "That's okay. More for me," he replied with a grin.
"Do not forget friend Raven," Starfire added.
"Don't worry about me, I'm not hungry." Raven didn't even look up from the book she was reading.
The other Titans glanced at each other, but said nothing.
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"All right, y'all! Have a good time!" Cyborg saw the two couples off.
When he reentered the living room he looked at Raven. "So, Rae, you want to watch a movie or something?"
Before Raven could answer, sirens went off. Both of them rushed to the screen.
"Looks like a robbery. I'll call the others," Cyborg said, reaching for the page button. Raven's hand on his stopped him.
"No. It appears to be minor. Let's not call them unless we have to." Cyborg hesitated, but finally nodded.
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"What's the situation?" Cyborg asked the head policeman at the scene.
"We're still chasing a couple guys who made it to a car before we got here. There are at least two more still inside, with hostages."
Raven turned to Cyborg. "Think you can catch the ones in the car?"
"Of course. My baby could catch 'em in minutes."
"Okay. Then I'll take the ones inside."
"Sure you can handle it?"
Raven just gave him a look before she stepped out of the streetlight and melted into the darkness. Both Cyborg and the police officer looked for her in the shadows, but saw no signs of her.
After a moment, Cyborg realized he needed to go after the other robbers and headed for his car.
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Raven entered the building through a wall, still blending in with the shadows. She counted three masked burglars and eight innocent people being held captive. Eyes glowing white, she easily took the guns from the hands of the robbers.
A thrown chair knocked one down, unconscious. She lifted a second off the ground. The third sliced at her with a hidden knife he had pulled out. Raven was quick, and swiftly moved out of the way. The knife barely broke the skin of her arm. A pot crashed onto the third assailant's head. After binding the second man's hands and feet, Raven instructed the hostages to leave.
Raven left the way she had come, and watched, unseen, as police entered the building to take away the burglars.
When she saw the T-car pull up and Cyborg get out, Raven walked up to him.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"Quick. You? Is that blood?"
"It's just a scratch. It's already stopped bleeding."
"Okay, if you're sure." She nodded. "Ready to head back?" Again, a nod. Suddenly he grinned. "I wonder if the others had as interesting a night as we did," Cyborg wondered jokingly.
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To my reviewers:
TeenTitansGirl14: Thank you Thank you! Hope this chapter's length was a bit more to your liking.
TsukasaSIGN(): Thank you very much! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, too!
dana1313: That's okay. I'm also going to be going away for a while soon. Thanks for the reviews!
Arrendi: I'm glad you're happy. :) Thanks so much for the reviews!
2468(): Thanks! I'm pleased you liked it!
Aya Sadaka(): Thank you. I don't really care for Terra much either, but I'm trying not to be biased as I write this. Thanks again!
Eyes of Nevermore: I'm still indecisive about the ending, but if it does end sad, I will definitely write a sequel to make it happy. Thanks for the compliments!