HAHA! Bribes galore! And after only a few days! Hmm, maybe I should vanish mysterious for 6 months again...-is beaten with sticks- KIDDING! KIDDING! Whew...ok, so best be pointing this out now. This chapter is in semi songfic format. The Titans are in a club, so I took the chorus...es...from a bunch of dance songs to give it more of a club-y feel. Then there's one full-length song, which is TOTALLY different than the others. That shall be explained at the end. Enjoy!

Oh yes, and I need to take this time to apologize to eventidespirit and The Ultimate Newbie (if he's reading this) for taking SO FREAKING LONG with chapter 2 of the mystery pairing fic. I've been distracted, and I know that isn't a good excuse, but I promise to get it done soon!

Some time later, the Titans had hit the road and were speeding off to the party via T-Car. In the end, everyone ended up wearing their normal attire, save for the faux bowtie that clung to Cyborg's metallic exterior. Star adorned her usual perfume and lip-gloss and each of the boys emitted the faint scent of their respective colognes. Raven tended to stay away from all forms of cosmetics, except for MAYBE the occasional swipe of Chap Stick in the bitter winter. Since she had showered earlier that day and had not done any strenuous activities that would cause her to smell, Raven found it pointless to do it again. However, she ended up giving into her teenage insecurities, and lit some vanilla incense in her room when she returned there to read. It was the closest she would ever go to make-up, and she smiled slightly at the sweet, soft scent that now seeped off of her.

Raven watched the trees along the highway flash by her a little too quickly, and she hooked her chin in her palm. She had drawn the short straw in seating arrangements, and was sandwiched in the backseat between Starfire on her left and Beast Boy on her right. Robin sat comfortably in the passenger seat up front, and Cyborg was driving. The robot hybrid hit the blinker and promptly switched lanes, all the while expressing his excitement through his crazy ramblings. In his joy, he had slipped into using Ebonics, and so Robin was needed to act as translator to the confused Starfire.

"Awwww yeah this is going to be so tight! I can't wait to git in dere an' get jiggy wit it da night away!" There was a brief pause as Robin mentally translated, before he finally spoke.

"He says that it's going to be really cool and he can't wait to get there and dance." Starfire nodded in acknowledgement, and Beast Boy withheld a snicker. Cyborg continued to prattle on, but fortunately he had begun to use proper English once again.

"I can't wait for you guys to meet Lynn, she's awesome. But no jokes about us being an item, ok? We're not, and she's a very independent person. If she were to overhear you I'd get my ass handed to me on a silver platter." Robin smirked and kicked his feet up onto the dashboard.

"So, you're telling me I get my revenge for every crack about my sexuality, every innuendo about me and Star, every perverted sentence that ever escaped your mouth AND you get beat up for it? I don't see a downside." Cyborg's pupils grew tiny and he let out a high pitched gasp from his agape mouth. He released a hand from the wheel and swatted viciously at the Boy Wonder's knees, slapping them more times than necessary. Even after Robin angrily brought his feet down, the android's hand still flapped out in the air.

"That is not a footrest! You coulda hurt my baby! You know how sensitive she is!" Beast Boy openly laughed, stealing a glance of the girl beside him. She looked less than amused and rolled her dark lavender eyes, obscured in the slightest by her trademark hood. He felt a little disheartened by her lack of emotion towards the funny event, and sank back into his seat.

'Not that you could expect anything from her...she can't feel. What's the point in trying?'

Cyborg had replaced his hand back on the wheel and continued to scold Robin, to which the ebony haired teen ignored.

"Listen, bro, she's really sweet and very special to me, and I don't want you hurting her, okay?" Robin crossed his arms and sunk into the seat.

"FINE. I won't say anything bad to Lynn."

"...I WAS TALKING ABOUT MY CAR!!!" There was another brief scuffle, until Cyborg's head whipped back, eyes looking through the back window, and he swore loudly. Starfire gasped and Robin opened his mouth to give him a severe tongue lashing, but the African American cut him off before he could even start.

"OOO-HH! Ya see what you made me do?! We missed the exit!" Cyborg readjusted the rearview mirror and tightened his seatbelt around his massive form. "Hope no one gets seasick!"

With a swift spin of the wheel, the car swung violently to the right, the force causing the vehicle to slide up on two wheels. The tires squealed endlessly in pain as they spiraled in a U formation, and several angry cars honked their horns in protest as they skidded to a halt to avoid an accident. Cyborg squinted against the dozens of blaring headlights but his look of determination never left his face.

Before he could stop it, Robin was flung against the door, his face and hands pressed immovably against the window. His cheek ballooned out on the glass like old gum on pavement. Starfire had screamed in fear and shock when Cyborg made his move, but was able to act quickly. One hand slammed upward into the ceiling of the car while the other was firmly pushing against the window on her left. Her feet had burrowed underneath Cyborg's seat and tightly locked themselves behind a metal bar they found. She used her brute alien strength to put pressure on all three areas, giving her a secure, strained position that gravity could not alter.

Unfortunately, Raven's reflexes were not as fast as Starfire's. The power of the turn and ripped her hood off her head, and she was thrown sideways as she braced herself. But strangely, when she found herself landing back, it wasn't into the cold, metallic door she had expected. Instead, it was something softer, and it grunted in pain when she hit it with the force she had. Slowly she peeked an eye open, only to have a blurred green image swim past her. Her other eye opened as the figure came into focus.

Beast Boy. Of course.

He had managed to twist his body so that his back collided with the door instead of his head. (A move Robin was now kicking himself for not thinking of.) Her head lolled against his stomach, her lilac hair spilling haphazardly all around him. The boy's eyes were closed, straining against the force of the car. Raven felt an arm loop around her slender waist, and she gave a gasp of surprise as another linked with it. She felt herself being pulled upward until she stopped once her head rested just below the shape shifter's shoulder. Suddenly it dawned on her;

'He's trying to protect me...'

The thought left her bewildered and it showed in her eyes. Before she realized what she was doing, Raven tightly grasped one of his hands out of pure fear. Whether said emotion was due to Cyborg's recklessness or the fact that she was secretly enjoying his arms around her, we shall never know. Beast Boy felt the tender touch and drew a curt breath of air, and his eyes snapped open. He looked down at her as if it were any other day, like it was just the two of them.

Raven had never been this closer to Beast Boy's eyes before. Instantly, she wished she had noticed them sooner. They were beautiful; two perfect jade stones with several other shades of emerald shimmering brightly. A few golden knives had stabbed into the otherwise lime orbs, and they left their tiny marks all about the spheres. They were genuine and inviting, kind and safe. They reminded her of going home to a warm, loving family after a long journey. At this point, all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. She couldn't think. She couldn't breathe. All she could do was stare up into those wonderful, pristine green eyes.

'Wow...'

"Hi." he whispered softly, smiling warmly that made Raven want to melt. Everything had stopped, at that moment he was the only person in the whole world. And it was wonderful.

"Hi." she meekly repeated after a long pause, and he laughed silently. Suddenly gravity wasn't the only thing keeping her pinned to him.

The car lurched ferociously to the left and landed with a loud thud, now riding comfortably back on 4 wheels. The strength of the land caused the car to bounce up, and the force caused Beast Boy to bang his head into the ceiling. He inadvertently tore his arms off Raven, and she was mentally disappointed. His neck snapped backwards and smacked the glass of the window, and he moaned in pain.

The car screeched as the tail end tilted dangerously to the side before straightening out once again and continuing down the correct road at a leisure pace. There was a long silence among the teens, but then Cyborg inhaled deeply and pumped a fist in the air.

"That...was...AWESOME!!"

Robin peeled his skin off of the glass and massaged the reddening spot on his temple. Normally he would have screamed at Cyborg for putting all of their lives in danger and completely disregarding the state driving laws, but at the moment he simply didn't have the energy.

"You know, you COULD have just gotten off at the next exit and turned around." the Boy Wonder growled menacingly. Cyborg flashed him a thousand watt smile.

"Yeah, but that wouldn't have been as fun, would it?"

Starfire undid herself from her braced position and wearily let her arms drop to the side. She sighed, exhausted, and her head fell to the headrest behind her as she combed her fingers through her auburn bangs.

"'Fun' is not quite the word I would have used to describe that situation." Robin's fingers explored the skin just above his hairline, where he found a small but growing bump. He traced it with his fingertips and glared at the robot beside him.

"If I have brain damage, you're paying for my medical bills." Cyborg laughed, never taking his eyes off the road, and turned smoothly down another dimly lit street.

"If I had to pay for everything that was wrong with you're head, my children's children's CHILDREN would be in debt." Naturally Robin was angered at this comment and loudly objected, beginning another argument between the two. Starfire briefly tried to quell the squabble, but when her efforts were snubbed, she sank back into her seat and closed her eyes, muttering something scornfully in her native tongue.

Raven was still lying across Beast Boy, though it was quite possible for her now to get up and resume sitting. But for some reason, she couldn't command her body to move. Not that she wanted to, mind you. She held her gaze with the changeling, both of them panting heavily as they labored for air.

"Rae?" he murmured airily, his breathing gradually slowing down. She couldn't bring herself to respond, she was too wrapped up in his eyes. She hung on his every word, and anxiously waited for him to speak again.

"...You can get off me now."

Reality slapped its bronze fingers hard across her cheek, and her eyes widened in realization. Oh GOD. What was she DOING?! She gasped and immediately sat up, blushing furiously as she fumbled for her hood. Eventually she found it and stared down disconsolately at the floor.

"Sorry." she timidly replied, and she missed his cheeks glow a distinct shade of red. The rest of the ride was spent in awkward silence.

---

They arrived about ten minutes later, and Cyborg parked the T-Car into a space conveniently out front. The Titans bypassed everyone who waited in between the velvet roping, but there were no objections. All of the people who were in line were fans of the group, and cheered excitedly as they passed. (Robin ended up having to walk on the far side because several screaming girls had attempted to rip off his clothing.) Beast Boy smiled cheekily and waved, lapping up all the attention he could get. Cyborg personally greeted a few people lining the velvet barrier with a handshake and a 'Hey, howya doin'?' Raven did her best to ignore the commotion. Many catcalls were made, mostly directed at Starfire. She flushed and Robin scowled, possessively lacing her hand in his own and protectively pulling her in close to him.

The teens reached the front of the line, where a large man dressed in a neat suit stood with crossed arms at the door, blocking anyone's entrance. Cyborg pushed in front on his friends and grinned at the man, although he received no response.

"Hey there, buddy! Hey, listen, I'm a friend of Lynn's...she owns the place? Yeah, she gave me these." His hand dug into his magical pocket which-really-is-not-there and whipped out the 5 tickets. The bouncer observed them, grunted a reply, and stepped aside, allowing them to pass. The Titans muttered their thanks, and happily entered the club.

The room was a bouncing enigma of sound and color. Bright lights streamed out every which way, constantly switching direction and swooping down over the dancers in the center of the floor. On the far side of the room was a marble-faced bar, where an antsy looking boy nervously wiped the countertop. Only non-alcoholic drinks were being served, being that the club was owned and operated by a minor (And she wouldn't touch the stuff with a 20 foot pole, as Cyborg noted aloud.) Adjacent to the bar was a mini-restaurant where a few girls in far-too-short skirts served appetizers. Above the scene, a DJ clad in dark sunglasses worked the turntables before a big screen TV that showed odd, vibrant shapes twisting and turning in sync with the music that was being played.

"This place looks awesome!" Beast Boy shouted over the blaring music, and Cyborg grinned.

"I told ya, didn't I? C'mon, let's go find a place to sit!"

"CY!" A sweet, melodious voice cut through the growing noise, causing all five titans to turn to the source. Instantly Cyborg's face lit up and he beamed as a girl broke through the crowd and sauntered towards them, her hips swaying suggestively as she walked. She was dark, but the tone of her skin was much lighter than Cyborg's. She wore her inky black hair in dozens of braids that fell just between her shoulder blades. A ruby red halter dress hugged her curves nicely and her high heels clicked against the wooden floor. Smiling, she waved at the crew, and Cyborg approached her with open arms. He engulfed her much smaller form in a tight embrace, and spun her in a small circle as she laughed.

Robin clenched his free hand into a fist and pretended to be experiencing severe inner turmoil. "Must....resist....urge...to....mock..." Starfire giggled and playfully slapped his arm. Cyborg eventually set the girl down in front of them and made a sweeping gesture to introduce her.

"Everyone, this is my friend Lynn. Lynn, this is everyone." There was a collection of 'Hello's' and the dark girl smiled sincerely.

"Nice to finally meet y'all." she said as she used a manicured finger to tuck a stray braid behind her ear. She raised her hands above her head to indicate the vast activities her club provided. "Feel free to do anything ya want! Drinks are to the right and food is to the left. I've already informed the staff that since you guys are honorary guests, everything is on the house! Go ahead and splurge, it's on me!" There was a clamor of thanks and Lynn beamed as she waved them off dismissively.

Starfire's enamored gaze lingered on the dancers in the center of the commotion, her eyes sparkling excitedly. Robin glanced over to see her staring, and smiled. He gave her hand a quick squeeze, and when he had gained her attention he raised his eyebrows and jerked his head in that direction. She grinned and nodded furiously, half dragging him to the dance floor.

"We're gonna go dance!" Robin called back to the gang before vanishing in a sea of people. Beast Boy laughed and turned his attention back to the amber eyed girl to his right. He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck and grinned impishly.

"So...got any tofu?" Lynn chuckled to herself and pointed towards the mini restaurant.

"Had to call a few dozen supermarkets, but I got it, per request from Cy. Go on, it's calling you." Beast Boy lit up like a Christmas tree and jetted off, where he was promptly given a menu and a reserved table. He ogled over the alternate-meat list drooling.

"So many tofu varieties...how can I ever choose?!"

Raven scanned the area quickly, before scoffing and crossing her arms firmly over her chest.

"I'm going to go find a dark corner to hide in." And she dissipated into the shadows. Lynn raised an eyebrow and turned to her mechanical counterpart.

"Well isn't she Little Miss Sunshine." Cyborg laughed and draped an arm around her slim shoulders.

"You're pretty quick, then again it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Raven despises human interaction." Lynn grinned.

"I like your friends. They seem really nice."

"They are. And don't worry, I already told them not to mess around about us." Her smile suddenly became wry and suggestive.

"So they're not going to crack jokes all night?"

"Nope. I convinced them we're just friends and nothing else."

"...And of course they have no idea that we've been dating for six months?"

"Not a clue." She laughed harmoniously as he pulled her in tightly and planted a kiss on her forehead.

---

Hey mama, this that beat that make you groove, mama
(hey) Get on the floor and move your booty mama
(yaw) We the blast mastas blastin' up the jamma
(hey) So shake your bambama, come on now mama
Hey mama, this that beat that make you groove, mama
(hey) Get on the floor and move your booty mama
(yaw We the blast mastas blastin' up the jamma
(la la la la la)

The dance floor was rimmed with tables and booths for weary dancers to rest in-between songs. After much searching, Raven was able to locate a large booth tucked in a corner of the building. The table was slightly elevated above the others, as were all the booths that lined the walls, so she had a full view of the entire scene. She rolled her eyes at the screams that erupted from the center of the hall when the new song started and folded her arms angrily over her stomach. Needless to say, she was NOT having a good time. The music was too loud, the food was skeptical, and the constant flashing lights had her believing that she had contracted epilepsy. Sighing, she dropped her elbow to the table top and laid her chin in her open palm, eyeing the dancers. Raven scoffed; she had never been one to dance, especially not as lewdly as some of the people were. Last time she had been at a party this 'pointless' (to quote herself) she had met Carden, and he made it briefly worthwhile. After a quick scan of the crowd, she realized there was no one of his...caliber...and she glared, frustrated. Absently she wondered where Beast Boy was.

"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII RAVEN!"

She screamed bloody murder and leapt ten feet clear off her seat, her legs kicking wildly as she hung in the air. She slammed back into the seat, hard, and moaned in pain between her startled pants. Clutching a hand over her heart, she turned with a fierce glare to the mechanical man beside her, who was grinning childishly. She noticed Cyborg seemed to have a fascination with her ears, because she was the only victim of his point-blank shrieks. Repressing the urge to beat him senseless, she deepened her grimace and tenderly rubbed her ear.

"...A simple tap on the shoulder would have sufficed." The hybrid chuckled and leaned back into the seat, folding an arm over the headrest as he did so.

"So how ya doin, Rae? Having a good time?" He dismissed her aggravated demeanor. She rolled her beautiful violet crystals.

"Oh yeah. I'm, like, totally digging the scene. Mad props to you for find it, yo." She pounded a fist against her chest and he raised an eyebrow.

"You just combined valley girl with black guy, but I catch the sarcasm." He scooted in and lowered his voice in concern. "You don't like it here?" Raven realized that her friend was genuinely hurt by her statement; he had honestly wanted to impress everyone. She softened, but only in the slightest.

"No, I meant...well, it's not something I would normally do. It's nice, really. It's just not for me."

He understood and gave her a small smile, which she faintly returned. That was what was great about Cyborg; he knew exactly what she meant without her having to elaborate. The DJ switched the song, and several skirt clad girls squealed as they desperately tried to scrounge up available partners. Raven let her eyes slither back over to the dance floor, lazily skimming the crowd before she gasped in shock.

Towards the center of everything, she had found Robin and Starfire. Her back was pressed against his chest, one of her hands reaching behind her to tangle itself in his mess of charcoal hair. Her head lolled back on his shoulder, leaving her neck exposed, and Robin had buried the side of his face just above her collar bone. His arms were locked tightly around her slim waist, and their hips swayed together erotically to the beat of the music. Raven was honestly surprised to see such a sight.

Dip it low
Pick it up slow
Roll it all around
Poke it out like your back broke
Pop pop pop that thing
Ima show you how to make your man say "Ooo"
Dip it low
Pick it up slow
Roll it all around
Poke it out like your back broke
Pop pop pop that thing
Ima show you how to make your man say "Ooo"

Cyborg caught the telepath's shocked expression and playfully punched her arm, arousing her from her trance.

"I take it you found Robin and Star."

She glanced back over at him, her eyebrows creasing together as she did.

"Are you sure he's not...taking advantage of her for doing that?" She asked suspiciously, and he laughed.

"Nah. Believe it or not, SHE was the one who suggested it." The shock literally pushed her back into the seat, but only slightly.

"Really?" He nodded.

"Yup. She saw the other couples doing and thought it was 'Most enjoyable!' And of course Robin was all too eager to comply."

Just them Lynn slid into the booth to join them, sporting a smile. Her braids were twisted back simply but elegantly off her neck, two of them framing her face. Cyborg beamed at her presence and slinked an arm around her slender form. Raven could only smirk to herself.

"Heeey. You guys enjoying yourselves?" she asked sweetly. Her voice was warm, like an alto blues singer at an old 1920's club. Cy grinned.

"'Course we are! And where have you been, missy? I haven't seen you all night!" Her shapely eyebrows lifted and she blinked like he was crazy.

"It's opening night in MY club, I've gotta make sure something doesn't short circuit or catch on fire or spontaneously combust and you expect me to be chained to your side the whole time?!"

"...But where are your shoes?" Her hand smacked him hard in the back of the head, and he yelped in pain.

"You try running up and down 3 flights of stairs in heels and tell me how YOUR feet feel!!" Raven held a hand to her mouth to hide her growing grin and turned to Lynn.

"I think I'm going to like you."

The dark girl laughed and Cyborg looked horrified.

"Aww man! Between the two of you, I won't have any brain cells left!"

Before the conversation could continue, Starfire and Robin returned. Their bodies glistened with sweat, but both looked indescribably happy.

"Somebody had fun."

Starfire's already red cheeks flushed and Robin smiled crookedly, sweeping his hair off of his forehead.

"We figured we needed to rest a little." He replied, and Starfire nodded while sipping innocently at a glass of water she held in her hand. Raven cocked an eyebrow; the clear beverage seemed to be bubbling more so than it should, like a carbonated drink. She shook it off, thinking that Lynn imported mineral water for the big night. Starfire smiled sweetly at Raven.

"Please join us in the dancing, Raven! There are so many forms it is most entertaining! Surely you cannot spend the night in this isolated enclosure of seating arrangements." Raven sighed and shook her head in the negative.

"I don't dance, Star. Never have, never will." The alien looked disappointed, but did not press the matter further. Robin nudged her gently, grinning.

"Up for round two?" She beamed.

"Most definitely!" And they were gone. Lynn sighed exasperatedly and reluctantly rose.

"I probably should get back to work. Things to do, people to fire." Cyborg caught her wrist and stood, spinning her back so she faced him.

"Nah-uh. You're not going anywhere. I'm giving you a well deserved break. It's your party and you can boogie if you want to!" She feigned defeat.

"Very well, if you insist." Cyborg lit up, lacing his hand with hers, but cast a look back to Raven.

"You gonna be ok? We can stay over here if you want." Raven shrugged dismissively and shooed them off.

"Don't worry about me. Go have fun, I'll be fine." The both complied and vanished into the sea of people. Raven sighed. Alone again. Perhaps it was meant to be this way; maybe she was always supposed to be the loner who avoided contact at parties. She should have accepted her role as the reclusive goth, and until tonight she had. But still, she wished she had some companionship, if only for a bit.

Unconsciously her mind drifted back to Beast Boy.

---

Courtney

555-8624

Call me!

That's what the crumpled napkin in his hand read, smeared with cheap lipstick and perfume. He wrinkled his nose as he rolled it in his palm. That was the third number he had gotten that night, and he wasn't even trying! Girls had been flocking to him, asking his about his vegetarian diet and running their painted nails across his chest, commenting on his strong physique. Now, he'd always believed himself to be a ladies man (that was his story and he was sticking to it) but he had never had such a following of girls, suggestive ones at that. Usually he had to resort to using 'The Face' before any of them would even talk to him.

He brushed it off. 'Maybe the pheromones are kicking in.' He half heartedly picked at the tofu Pu Pu Platter that sat before him. As ecstatic as he was to have such a rare tofu delicacy, he had no appetite. His mind had been on Raven since the incident in the car. She looked so innocent, so pure as she laid there. In that instant, he'd felt a shiver of hope run through his spine, making him think maybe, just maybe...

He mentally kicked himself. Of course she didn't feel that way, he was just kidding himself.

'But...why did she look at me like that? Am I just going crazy?'

He sighed, pushing the plate away for a waitress to take. He needed to be with her. They didn't even have to talk, he just wanted to be in her presence, just to have her there.

The fast song ended and a familiar guitar rift wafted though the air. The song introduced itself to be much slower than any other that had been played, and he watched boys and girls awkwardly pair off. With a smile, he located Cyborg whispering something softly into Lynn's ear, which elicited a smile and she hugged him tighter to her body. Another scan found Robin with his arms wound affectionately around Starfire's waist, his face buried in her soft crimson hair as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. God, he wanted her so badly, now more than ever.

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover,
Something in the way she woos me.
I don't want to leave her now,
You know I believe her and how.

'Please, God, let me find her. Please let her be here, somewhere. Just...let me be with her.'

There. A piercing pair of amethyst eyes cut across the crowded room, their stunning shimmer taking his breath away. She could see him, she had to be able to. The lavender gems widened at the attention and shyly slinked to the floor to break the contact. Every so often, she glanced up, hoping he no long was looking. He watched her every reaction from all the way across the room. For a moment, he breathed in her radiance. Then before he realized what he was doing, he got up and started walking towards her.

Raven could feel her breath becoming erratic again, those pestering butterflies making another appearance in her stomach. How did he find her? Could he read her thoughts at that moment, did he hear her silent pleas for him? She admired him a moment, making out his eyes every detail even from this distance. She felt...vulnerable, weak in the knees.

'Look at the table. The feeling will go away, just look away.'

She did as her mind commanded, but the burning sense of his emerald gaze on her was too strong to ignore. Her eyes traveled back to him, holding their moment as long as they could. Her grip on the seat tightened as she watched him rise, approaching her without daring to break eye contact. She was astonished, he was coming to her. That was why it was such a shock when she realized she was doing the same thing.

Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover.
Something in her style that shows me.
Don't want to leave her now,
You know I believe her now.

Beast Boy pushed lightly against the swaying couples that obscured his path. He had to get to her, no matter what the means. Something inside him leaped when he saw her coming towards him, but he did not dare stop. He needed her.

His eyes were hypnotic, drawing her to him involuntarily. But there was something in the back of her head that kept nagging her that her movement was not against her will. Her shoulder hit a dancing pair and her body tilted to one side, but she held her gaze with the boy. She cautiously weaved in and out of the people, determined. The beat sped up a bit, but it did not distract her in the least. In fact, it made her want to move faster.

You're asking me will my love grow,
I don't know, I don't know.
You stick around now it may show,
I don't know, I don't know.

They met halfway, directly beneath the sparkling silver disco ball. The lights were magical, spinning rhythmically around the two like fireflies on a sweltering summer's eve. They were the only ones for miles, as far as either of them cared. And boy, did they care.

The music slowed once again, the guitar's mellow charm drifting upward as the lyrics temporarily faded away. They were so close to one another, but they didn't dare move. Subconsciously Raven began to count the golden flecks in the olive pools of Beast Boy's eyes. He smiled, very faintly but very sincerely, out of the corner of his mouth.

"Hi." He whispered, almost inaudibly. But she heard him. She hung on every word he said.

"Hi." She responded bashfully, nearly as soft as him. She mentally cursed, where had her voice gone? His grin widened.

"That seems to be our patented conversation today, huh?" His voice never rose above a murmur, but it rolled off his tongue like thick syrup. She felt her lips tug up in the slightest, but she didn't say another word. His eyebrows creased together as his gaze intensified, and she suddenly worried he would leave. She saw his hand rising up slowly until it was just above her head. Swiftly, he seized the edge of her hood and jerked it down, her lilac hair tumbling out majestically. She let out a small gasp at his bold motion, staring at him questionably. His eyes twinkled apologetically.

"I-I'm sorry. I know you don't like to be touched." She blinked at his knowledge of her. "But...But I couldn't stand to see you hidden anymore, Rae. You know, your scent isn't the only thing that's pretty about you."

Her ivory cheeks flared with heat and for the first time she pulled away from his eyes, sheepishly eyeing her feet. His hand still hovered just above her shoulder, and so he gently set it down and let it slide the full length down her arm before reaching her tiny, delicate hand. His fingers intertwined with hers, and she silently gulped.

"Dance with me."

Another bold effort on his part. God, why couldn't she talk? Say yes! Please say yes!

"I-I don't dance well. And...by well...I mean at all."

She looked up, fearful of facing his sorrowful face again. But instead, his expression remained kind and warm, and she felt her heart skip a beat.

"Then I'll dance well for the both of us." His thumb was rubbing gingerly against her knuckles. Everything in her mind screamed at her to walk away, that she was being stupid and irrational and was going against everything she believed in. But her heart...that was an entirely different story.

Something in the way she knows
And all I have to do is think of her,
Something in the things she shows me.
Don't want to leave her now,
You know I believe and how

"...Ok." He seemed shocked by her response.

"Ok?" She smiled prettily and nodded.

"Ok. Dance with me." She watched in amusement as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down nervously, but his smile never changed. He gently pulled her in closer, their breaths spiraling together as one. Her eyes laced with panic at their position, but his warmth against her soothed her.

"Don't worry, Rae, I won't hurt you. I will never hurt you."

Taste toxic lips, I'm on the run!

As quickly as it had begun, the song vanished into the hot, sticky air of the nightclub as Brittany Spears eagerly took its place. The couples around them broke away to dance on their own. Beast Boy and Raven both seemed to snap immediately out of their daze, and realized the position they were in. Raven gasped as her eyes widened, and Beast Boy looked like a lost little kid. She glared at him angrily, and fiercely tore her hand away from him. Before he could say another word, she stormed off, pushing a few annoyed dancers to the ground in the process. The changeling called after her, but she blended in with the others and was gone. He closed his eyes.

"Damn it." he whispered. He poked his eyes open and watched his hand slowly contort into different positions. Heaving a sigh, he dropped it back to his side and dejectedly wandered away.

---

Raven was angry.

Actually, angry might not be the right word to describe her. There might not be an adequate word in the English language to describe her. With her head bowed, she grunted through hoards of people, delivering a few well timed shoves to innocent bystanders in the process.

"The nerve of him to touch me like...that! What would possibly give him that right?! That little...ugh!" She inadvertently found the bar and slouched into a stool. She noticed a few people giving her stares and she shot them a look that sent them running. She was mad, and was not to be messed with.

She was mad at the world. She was mad at the people. She was mad at George Harrison.

"Of course...I never stopped him."

This thought lingered, and she glanced down at her pale hand affectionately. The warm, tingling sensation his touch gave her still remained, and she had to admit, it made her happy.

Rage quickly set in again, and she balled her hand into a fist and slammed it into the countertop. The red haired bartender jumped, and she finally acknowledged his presence. His pale blue gaze lay on her, fearful but expectant, and she groaned softly.

"I don't suppose you have herbal tea." She asked. The boy nervously bit his lip.

"I have iced tea." A growl rolled off her tongue, and she exasperatedly clutched her nose between her thumb and index finger.

"Fine. Whatever." He smiled slightly and filled a cup with ice.

"Sweetened or non?"

"I don't CARE! Just get me something NOW!" The dangling lights shook with the intensity of her shout and he leapt in fear as he scrambled to keep the frozen cubes in the glass. He ducked down and fumbled beneath the counter as he prepared her drink. Raven breathed curtly, and perked up when she sensed someone's gaze on her. She glanced to the side and found a dark figure, hunched over and hooded with a black sweatshirt, focusing his steely eyes on her. She sent him a glare but he remained unfazed, and flashed her an ugly, toothless smile. Rolling her eyes she cushioned her head in her arms, attempting to block out the sights and sounds of the place. She heard a soft clink against the counter, and she knew her drink was there but decided to remain in her position a moment or so longer. There was another tiny ping sound from her beverage, but she dismissed it as the ice clattering against the glass.

She lifted her head and held the cold drink to her lips. There was a low chuckle beside her, and she caught the hooded boy starring at her eerily again. She eyed him suspiciously and slowly took a swig of the drink, not noticing how much it had been bubbling.

Holy Crap that was a long chapter! But it's done! YAY! Ok, so a few notes; the 2 songs I used were Hey Mama by the Black Eyed Peas and Dip it Low by Christina Milian, but they're not important so we don't care about them. The full length song was Something by the Beatles. I slipped in a little Beatles joke towards the end, a cookie to anyone who gets it. It's semi-possible I could finish chapter 9 before I head off for a week, but it's a little unlikely. Hopefully this can keep you happy til them....cuz it's really long!! Oo I hope you liked it, and I'll cya when I return to the East Coast!

Oh and you can call that number Beast Boy had if you want...a slutty girl will not pick up the phone.