Author's Note: First off, thanks for the reviews. Secondly:Here it is, the Date. I know from the reviews I've been getting that a lot of you have been waiting eagerly for this one. Sorry to say, but nothing terribly--I believe the word someone used was "wild"--happens in this part. It's only a first date. If you've been paying attention, you might've noticed that the pace of Robin and Raven's relationship is fairly...relaxed. As it should be. I don't buy into those "love at first sight" things. It takes time to build a relationship, so it will take a few more chapters before Robin and Raven are officially a couple. Incidentally, it'll take a few more chapters before I expressly state why Raven's losing her powers. But if you read between the lines in the last few chapters, I'm sure you'll already have figured it out on your own. And so, on with Chapter Six.

Chapter Six

What the hell am I doing?

In all the years of study and training, throughout the wild adventures and adrenaline-pumping missions, and against the adversity of combat, criminal geniuses, and fighting for that last slice of pizza, Raven had never felt so indecisive. And it was over the most inane of things.

She couldn't choose which dress to wear.

You shouldn't be agonizing over this, the logical, mature part of her brain said. You're just going out for dinner. You've done that before, just a few weeks ago, even. You, him, and the others. It was pizza night. You didn't worry then.

That was different, a new part of her countered. It wasn't so much new as it was just recently brought out of hibernation. It was a part she had suppressed for so long because it was distracting. It was the part of her that agonized over choosing one dress over another. It was the part of her that was a seventeen-year-old girl.

Finally, Raven flipped a coin. It came up heads. The logical part took the fates' judgement as absolute; the new part wanted to go best out of three. The dark-haired girl, exasperated, decided to go to the only other person who could help her. Even though she really didn't want to.

It took all of Raven's determination to bring herself to knock on Starfire's door. When the Tamaranian opened it, Raven shoved the two dresses into her face. "Which one?" she asked simply.

Startled, Starfire automatically said, "That one," and pointed to one at random. "What is the occasion?" But Raven didn't hear it; she was already heading back to her room.

Raven dressed quickly, so she wouldn't have time to renege on her "choice." When she was done, she took a look in the mirror and was momentarily taken aback. She didn't get the chance to dress up often, but she cleaned up well. The dress—a long black gown that once belonged to her mother—definitely hearkened back to an earlier age, and yet was still tasteful. It was conservative, with a high collar and long sleeves, and it had an intricate pattern done up from the skirt to the cuff.

"It looks wonderful, Raven," Starfire said from the doorway, having followed out of curiosity.

The dark-haired girl was too absorbed in the dress to take offense at the invasion of her privacy. "Do you think so?"

"I think it needs more," the Tamaranian said. She floated over beside her. "I have been watching programs on the television; there are a number of Earth hairstyles that would look great with that gown."

Raven pinched a lock of her hair and rolled it between her fingertips. She hadn't changed her hairstyle since she was a child. But it's a special night, that new part of said, somehow sneaking past her reservations. "Starfire…um…can you…?"

The Tamaranian beamed. "I would be happy to." Taking Raven's shoulder, she gently guided the dark-haired girl into a seat. "We are the only girls here, but we never did get to know each other all that well," she rambled while she worked, "but I know you desire privacy. I am curious though, why this sudden change in attitude? You have never expressed any interest in gowns and hair. Is something happening tonight?"

"Yes." Raven admitted quietly. She looked into the mirror again. And was stunned. The girl looking back at her was beautiful. Not cute, not pretty, but beautiful. "You do good work, Starfire," she said, shaking her head and testing out the new tower that graced her head. 'That feels weird."

"I can loan you some earrings," Starfire offered. "I think I have a pair that would go well with your complexion."

"No, that's all right. I…I have something of my own. My mother's rubies."

"Oh. All right, then. So…what kind of occasion is it?"

Raven fished the ruby earrings from a dusty jewelry box in the back of one of her desk drawers. "It's a date, actually," she revealed with a blush. She started toward the door, suddenly feeling very anxious.

Starfire smiled pleasantly. "Who is the lucky young man?"

"Robin."

Raven, caught up in her own nervousness over the upcoming event, didn't hear the sound of Starfire's jaw hitting the ground.

What the hell am I doing?

Dick checked himself in the mirror for the fifth time in as many minutes. He unbuttoned the top of his dress shirt, thinking that to be more casual, even though he had just buttoned it all the way up no less than a minute ago.

Think casual. This is just dinner. With a friend. He sighed. Who the hell am I kidding? What am I doing

His hair was slicked back with styling gel. It looked…not Robin-ish at all.

Blame it on Beast Boy and Cyborg. Damn it.

Dick mussed it until was back to a semblance of his normal hairstyle. Casual. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was supposed to be steadying. But it rattled in his nervousness.

Of course, he knew why he was agonizing over this. This isn't a date, he told himself. I'm just taking Raven out for dinner. To make her feel better. She's been upset for the past few days; this'll be good for her. That's all. Not a date at all.

He threw on a sports-coat and went out into the hall, looking for Raven. When he found her, his jaw sagged. Hoo boy. It's a date.

"Hey Raven…You, um, look different." He wanted to kick himself. Real smooth, Boy Wonder. He hastily amended to something more flattering. "You look great. I like the earrings."

She smiled that small smile of hers, full of wry amusement. Though her appearance had changed—Into this beautiful, stunning, drop-dead gorgeous woman…stop thinking like that, Dick!—her humor hadn't. That made him feel a little more comfortable about this…thing. Just say it, Dick. It's a date.

"You look…different, too," Raven commented, and Dick couldn't tell if she were ribbing him or not.

"So, ready to go?

"Yes."

They arrived at the Crème De La Crème early enough to find parking and to avoid getting caught in the line. Dick thought that was a good sign. "Reservations for two, under 'Grayson,'" he said to the maitre'd, who summoned a waiter to bring them to a table. Beast Boy and Cyborg managed to get good tickets for them: their table was on the balcony overlooking the beaches. It was a warm night, so the breeze over the water felt good. A band played on a balcony stage. Dick recognized the tune, though he couldn't remember the name. Batman played it a few times during the social parties at Wayne Manor.

"This place is nice," Raven said, brushing back a stray lock of hair into place. She frowned. "This hair tower thing feels weird."

"But it looks nice," Dick said appreciatively.

She smiled. "Thanks. Starfire did it. This is place is nice," she said again. "Different from the places we usually hang out at."

"Those places were usually with the others," he pointed out.

"Not to sound disparaging, but I'm glad they're not here right now." She played with a lily in a vase on the table. "They'd have done something childish, I'm sure. It's nice just being in some mature company for once."

"I'm flattered that you think so highly of me."

"As I recall, you're the one who thought highly of me. Remember the mad bomber case a while ago?" Raven pulled her hands into her lap, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. She could feel the heat rise in her belly, blossom in all its demure redness on her cheeks. "You said you wanted me to help you because I was intelligent and mature. That…that meant a lot to me, Robin…Dick. I…not very many people say that to me. So thanks."

Dick smiled. "Hey, it wasn't a big deal. You're a smart girl. Woman. I was only stating the obvious. Maybe not enough people take the time to look for the obvious things, that's all."

"Still, I was very flattered."

Then the waiter came and took their orders. When they were alone again, Dick asked, "So, how are you feeling?" He lent emphasis to his words, giving them a deeper meaning for her. She picked up on it immediately.

"My powers still haven't come back." Strangely, she didn't feel as upset about it as before. Being the self-aware person that she was, she knew it was because she was with Dick. The notion didn't bother her as much anymore.

"I haven't been able to think up any way to help just yet," Dick said apologetically, "but I promise I'll help in any way I can, Raven. We'll get you through this—" She cut him off, pressing a slender finger to his lips.

"I'm sure we will," she said in all seriousness. "I'm sure because you're with me. Dick, let me tell you something. For a long time, as long as you've known me, I've only ever relied upon myself. I keep myself locked up, withdrawn, because I don't want to depend on anyone else's strength. But lately, I've come to realize that I was just afraid of opening up. But now I'm not afraid. You may be the first real friend I've ever had, and for that I thank you. Having someone like you with me…I can't begin to express what that means to me. I'm not afraid of relying on your strength, Dick. I'm not afraid of putting my pride on a shelf for once and just asking for help. And that's all thanks to you. And because of that, I'm not afraid of losing my powers. Because I know that you'll be right there, as supportive as ever."

Her impassioned speech stunned Dick to silence. It took him a few moments to really absorb what she had said. Finally, he simply said, "You're welcome. It's what friends are for."

"Right," she agreed. "That's what friends are for. Wow, these guys are quick; our food's already here."

Raven stabbed her side of green thoughtfully for a few moments. "You know, I'm surprised how well this night's been going."

"What do you mean?" Dick popped a bit of food into his mouth.

"I've never been a date before. I'm just surprised how relaxed it is."

Dick almost choked on the morsel in his mouth. Raven looked at him in concern. He drank a bit of water and coughed to clear his throat. Then, "So…you think this is a date."

"Yes, isn't it?"

Suddenly, Dick burst out laughing. "I've been second-guessing myself ever since I asked you out. 'This isn't a date,' I kept telling myself, even though I wanted it to be. Sorry, I guess it's just funny to me."

But Raven was smiling. And it was a very big smile. It lit up her whole face. "Actually, I've been worried about it myself. I just assumed it was a date for the get-go. It's been riding hell on my back all night." She chuckled.

"Worrying over nothing," Dick said, summarizing their predicament. "I swear, I was sweating bullets tonight. So…you're first date, huh? I take it you're enjoying it."

"It's more fun than I ever thought it could be. You do this sort of thing often?"

"Not really. When I was working with Batman, I dated Barbara Gordon—Batgirl—for a little while. I had to move out here, and a long-distance relationship didn't really appeal to either of us. We're friends now."

"I see. So no one's waiting for you back home?" Why am I asking about this? Raven asked herself. And why would I care? But she already knew why. She just didn't want to admit it. Batgirl was the Other Woman. And it bothered her.

Dick shook his head. "Robin might have a few fans. I mean, I did swing around the skylines for years in those ridiculous shorts," he gave her a glare, reminding her of the torment she put him through earlier, "and I guess some girls like that sort of sight."

"I know the mental image keeps me happy," Raven quipped lightly. Dick's glare didn't falter. But Raven felt relieved. "So, no one's got a line on you. Interesting."

"Interesting that I'm unattached? Why?" He looked at her mischievously. "Would you be jealous if I was?"

"Now your ego's swelling," Raven said. She wished he hadn't been so quick on the uptake. But then again, he's a detective. He'd have seen it a million miles away.

The band started playing a slow song. Some of the other patrons got up to dance on the cleared space in front of the stage.

"Want to go?" Dick asked, standing and offering a hand.

Raven smiled as she lay her small hand in his. "I'd love to."

Walking on thin ice here, Boy Wonder, Dick thought wildly as they swayed to the steady tempo. Batman had taught him a lot of things: detective work, martial arts, stealth, mechanics…but never dancing. When he was dating Barbara, she was surprised that a former trapeze artist had such a bad case of left feet. So why am I doing this? He knew why, of course. The reason was in his arms right now.

He tried—he really did—to think of her as a friend, date or no date. But she was close to him, physically close. There was a warmth emanating from her skin, a scent from her hair. He could feel the smoothness of her dress under his hands. And—and this made the heat rise in his cheeks—he could feel her underneath the dress. Every curve and contour.

He swallowed hard. Calm down, Dick. Just calm down. It's only Raven. But that's precisely why he was panicking. Because it was Raven.

"I'm glad we're doing this," Raven said suddenly, almost too quietly for him to hear. "I don't think I'd ever have gotten the chance to dance if you hadn't asked. It's…a learning experience."

"Is that all?" He felt a little hurt. A part of him hoped she was enjoying the dance because of him.

But Raven looked him in the eyes, and her gaze was very guarded. Though she admitted to being unafraid of opening up, she still had a few walls around her. "No," she answered simply. "But I don't want to say the real reason why I like being out here."

He chuckled. "I can relate to that."

Then the song ended. The couples parted. Dick and Raven parted. He saw the pinkish hue of her cheeks. After a few moments, the band began a slow intro. And then a riff of an electric guitar cut the air, followed by the steady beat of a drum. The band began to play, accompanying a younger group of rock musicians who had stepped onto the stage.

"They're good," Raven commented.

"Yeah," Dick agreed. "It's not often that you get to see a good merging of rock and classical. Kind of reminds me of what they did on Symphony and Metallica a few years ago."

"I was thinking the same thing." She touched his shoulder with an eager gleam. "So, want to try dancing to this one, Boy Wonder?"