Just want to say a few thank yous. First of all, to everyone who has reviewed. You guys are unbelievable! Fifty reviews for four chapters? I very nearly screamed in happiness! Which wasn't good since I was supposed to be working. LOL, never mind. I'm just so glad you're all enjoying this. I hope you like the other chapters. Most of them are finished now and ready for posting! And big thank yous to RavensAngst, dramaqueensandflannels and The Legendary Flob for adding me to their favourites lists. Love you guys so much! Keep reading and reviewing and I'll try to give you a Happy Christmas!

Chapter 5

The next day, Raven did not come out of her room at all. Starfire tried knocking and calling several times but there was no reply.

"I am most worried about her." She confided in the boys by mid-morning. Beast Boy sighed.

"What I really don't get is why she's so upset. I didn't even do anything. I really didn't this time!"

"I know man; she just went kinda weird all of a sudden." Cyborg said.

Beast Boy, who had even stopped cooking for a moment to take part in the conversation, said,

"What can we do? She really hates Christmas."

"Well think about it. Raven's never celebrated Christmas, not really. For the past few years, all she's done is watch us open presents and then she goes back to her room. She comes out for Christmas Dinner but then she disappears again." Robin said.

"It is so sad… why should anyone not wish to partake in such a joyous celebration? Surely the birth of a saviour is worth celebrating?"

"It might be if she were Christian." Cyborg grinned.

While Cyborg explained to her what he had meant, Robin said,

"What can we do though? If Raven doesn't want to celebrate Christmas we can't make her."

"We could try." Beast Boy said. He jumped as the oven timer went off. Taking a tray of fairy cakes out of the oven, he put them onto a wire rack as he said,

"Maybe we could throw a Christmas Party or something."

"I doubt that would improve Raven's mood. Oh… there might be a couple of people coming over on Christmas."

"Oh yeah?" Cyborg said, sampling one of the cakes and promptly burning his mouth.

"Bruce Wayne… and Alfred."

"Alfred?"

"Bruce's butler. They're all alone in that mansion, it's kinda lonely. But they might not even come." Robin said. Beast Boy whisked a bowl of icing, as Starfire switched on the radio.

"Oh I wish it could be Christmas everyday…" the sound floated out and Starfire sat with her elbows on the counter, head rested on her hands, listening to the cheerful song.

Robin tilted his head as he found himself examining her, as he had done so many times before. Her orange skin shone golden in the warm light. Her green eyes watched the radio as though watching the music itself. A strand of red hair was falling into her face and Robin was itching to reach out and push it back.

"What do you think Robin?" Beast Boy asked. Robin jumped.

"Sorry… what did you say?" Beast Boy peered around and his eyes fell on Starfire, as she stood up and went to the sofa. A grin crossed his face. Robin flushed.

"I was just… I mean, I wasn't-"

"Dude, it's OK. I mean, it's kinda obvious." Beast Boy muttered. Robin stared at him aghast. "Well, obvious to everyone except you two. You're taking forever."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Why don't you decide what it means?" Beast Boy grinned, turning away.

Cyborg looked over at the sack in the corner.

"Should we take her those? She should at least know that she's got them." Beast Boy picked up one of the envelopes from the sack.

"I dunno… would she want them?"

"It'd let her know that she's appreciated at least." Cyborg pointed out.

"I'll give them to her on Christmas Day. Maybe we can lure her out in time for dinner!"

"And speaking of dinner, you're not cooking any of your tofu crap."

"It is NOT crap!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is TOO!"

Whilst Beast Boy and Cyborg continued their intellectual debate over the finer points of meat and tofu, Robin joined Starfire on the sofa. She was reading a book about Christmas.

"Robin, I have some questions to ask you."

"Sure Starfire." He said, turning to face her. She closed the book and looked serious.

"I am curious about this 'Santa Claus'. Are you sure he is not evil?"

"Positive, Starfire." Robin smiled.

"I only wonder, because usually when people break into another person's house it is to steal items. But this 'Santa Claus' leaves items."

"He's a good guy. Honest."

"I see… I just found it strange that people are so delighted to see a man who goes into people's houses to watch their children sleeping and leaves things."

Robin thought about it. Now he considered it, he thought there might be something slightly alarming about an elderly man watching children sleep.

"No, Starfire. He's cool."

"Good! I did not wish to hunt him down and prevent him from such a heinous act!" Starfire smiled, opening the book again. "Now, what exactly are Reindeer? And why do they fly? And why does this one have a sore nose?"

Raven paced her room. It had gone lunchtime and she was rather hungry. But she couldn't bear to go out. Not to the warmth. She couldn't spoil Christmas for her friends. She cared too much for them to do that. They still considered Christmas to be a wonderful occasion, a time when everyone can be at peace.

She sank onto the bed. They would never understand… the things she had seen. The things that haunted her when she heard the strains of a Christmas song. That she felt sickened by when she saw a Christmas tree, or decorations.

She went to the window and looked out across the bay towards the city. Warm lights lit the grey sky. Raven shivered. If only they knew…

No! They could never know! At least, she wouldn't tell them. She couldn't do that to them. She couldn't ruin their favourite time of the year.

Beast Boy stood outside Raven's door, holding a plate with a 'mince' pie and a sandwich in one hand and a cup of herbal tea in the other. He had been standing here for a couple in minutes now, debating whether or not to knock. Eventually he put the refreshments on the floor and knocked on the door.

"Raven? There's some food out here if you want it. I'll go back to the kitchen." He said nervously. There was no reply.

"OK… I'll see you later."

Raven waited for a minute before opening the door. She picked up the food and the cup and slid the door shut again. She bit into the 'mince' pie, savouring the delicious taste. Sitting down in her chair she sipped the tea. The warmth penetrated her very bones, banishing some of the negativity that had been there only moments before.

She sighed. She would not spoil it. She wouldn't.