Author's Note – I had no intention of writing more to the songfic, but it felt nice getting such a positive review, ideas began to flow. I don't know how much I'll write, and how big the chapters will be. But I have some ideas starting, and I'm gonna give this a shot. But for the story to grow, it requires a nasty twist. So, read on to see exactly what that is!
Early The next morning, Raven woke slowly. First her mind became aware, and the memories of the night before flooded her senses. Internally, she giggled, and was surprised to find how good that felt. He'd come to her, held her all night and let her cry, really cry, and not only did he not chide her, he cried with her. She'd opened up, for the first time in her life, and she hadn't been frightened.
Even now, she could hardly believe He had come to her, it was as if she'd made a wish upon a star and it had been answered. His strong arms protected her in away she'd never known possible, and it gave her reason to hope that someday she could bare all her true feelings for all to see, without fear of destroying the world! Secretly she wanted this more then anything, to bare her love for all her friends.
It still hurt some, what her friends and her had to go through the night before, and it would be some time before they'd completely healed. Raven guessed they would all come together this morning and discuss it, try to deal, and then go down town and have meetings with the authorities. It was the one part of this she never liked, but it was reality.
However, with Him beside her, she felt a renewed strength and purpose, and she would be ready to deal with the day ahead.
She squeezed her arms around him, and found him so very soft. It was in that moment that the analytical part of her mind kicked in. She opened her eyes, bewildered, and found herself hugging her pillow. Blinking twice, she raised up and wiped the sleep from her eyes and looked around her room. Her cloak lay upon the chair just where she'd left it, but He was not there. She frowned. He'd promised to stay all night with her, so why had he left?
"Perhaps, " She deduced, "He didn't want to be caught coming out of my room, and have the others start asking too many questions."
She smiled, because she realized she didn't care how much the others knew. Pushing the tangled sheets aside, Raven arose from her bed. Fetching her cloak, she secured it in place and went to her bathroom. She washed up, and checked her face, satisfied that the evidence of her tears had been washed away. Taking a deep breath, Raven left her room. She'd taken not more then five steps when Starfire came floating around the corner. He eyes held the barest whisper of tears, and Raven's heart jerked. How unfair of her to feel so strong, when her best friend looked so tragic.
"Morning, friend Raven." Starfire said with no enthusiasm, as she floated past Raven.
Raven turned, and caught Starfire's arm. Surprised, Starfire felt herself held in a tight embrace, "Raven?"
"Shh." Raven said, "I can sense your pain, dear friend. You're not alone."
Starfire choked back a sob, and fell limp in Raven's embrace. Raven knew she had the ability to take away physical pain, but emotional? Perhaps instead she could project some of her calmness into Starfire, and with a little concentration, she did so. Starfire's tears subsided, and she straightened up in Raven's arms. She patted Raven's hands, and Raven let go.
"Thank you, Friend Raven, "Starfire turned with a soft smile, "I didn't know you could do that, but it helps."
"Last night was terrible, Star, as an empath, for me, it was especially terrible. So, I knew how you had to be feeling."
"Then why are you of the calm this morning?" asked Starfire.
Raven felt heat in her cheeks, and realized maybe she wasn't so ready to tell, but she smiled at Starfire to show assurance, "I had a dream, even though it's hard to explain. Just trust that things will get better, okay?"
Even though she wasn't fully back to her Tamarean self, Starfire did feel a lot better, "I believe you, Friend Raven. Will you join us for breakfast this morning?"
"Sure. First there is something I need to do, but I will come down soon, okay?"
With a nod and a smile, Starfire turned and continued down the hall, floating a little more off the ground and just a bit more herself. Raven waited a moment, and then turned in the other direction. Perhaps He was in his room, still? Raven reached His room shortly and knocked, but there was no answer. Curious, she turned to go to the main hall when there He stood.
"There you are." Raven said with a soft smile, "Why did you leave so early this morning?"
He frowned, blinking once, "Leave where?"
Her smile dropped away. Why was he joking with her now? "My room, silly."
His eyes widened for the briefest of moments, before he composed himself, Squinting his eyes, he asked; "Why would I be in your room? Are you okay, Raven?"
Something hard hit her just then, right in the chest. Memories came flooding back that had been drowned beneath the visions of last night. Quickly, her mind replayed the evening before. She'd come to her room, tears on the edge of her eyes. She'd tossed her cloak down over the chair and went to her bed to Meditate. She'd barely gotten into it when her mind began to play out a scenario of Him coming to her. Raven realized at that very moment, she'd fallen asleep!
In painful shock, Raven whispered, "It was a dream, just a dream!"
To Be Continued (IF I get more reviews. Hhehe, blackmail!)
