I'm baaackkk! With a vengeance :oP And may I just say that I am soooooo sorry for taking so long to update. I had a mental breakdown Yay! But honestly, I am so over school. We're breaking up. It's an unhealthy relationship for the both of us. :oP

Mandatory excuses- Insane stress levels due to AP midterms. Screw you History and Bio! Math. Nuff said. And due to said stress levels and a grody sick little brother, I got the cold from hell resulting with me being in a comatose state on my bed for a week and using a whole box of Puffs. :oD Along with sports and the fears of an enclosing graduation and college preparation (advisory gag) I was a tad bit busy this wonderful month of February. I was sick during Valentines :o( So once again, my sincerest apologies for taking over a month to update. :oD

Wow, was I surprised to see so many reviews and even a drawing , which was awesome by the way. The Robin made me crack up :oD (I believe it's called oekaki or something :o/) But anyhow, you guys are the greatest ever! I'm so glad you all seem to enjoy my story and thanks for stickin' with me despite the fact I update at a rate slower than that of a turtle. :o/ Honestly, I really want to reply to all your reviews but I swear I have no free time. :oP I will try next chapter. Oh gosh but Thank you all again! Here is the long awaited Raven chapter. Hope it doesn't suck.

Disclaimer: I don't own it. Yes, that's it. No clever comment. And I'll bet you were so looking forward to it. ;oP

Warning: This chapter contains serious themes and the 'F' and 'S' word. It still lands under PG-13 rating though from what I understand. :o) And don't worry, the cursing does have a purpose, it isn't just cursing to curse. :o)

Friends?

"Uh, guys…" Victor started, staring down at his ice cream carton, "Did anyone grab any spoons?"

Everyone except Raven looked down at their ice cream and groaned.

The clock ticked slowly as the group was left staring sadly at their ice cream. Garfield had taken to licking the top of his very much like a cat or dog would as Raven and Victor watched on disgustedly.

"Ma—an," Garfield moaned pulling his face out of the carton, a creamy white goatee on his features, "This is way lame…"

"Agreed," Kori consented sadly, her face resting in one hand as she absently drew circles on the desk with the other.

"Guess we just have to wait for it to melt…" Richard announced.

"Melt! Dude, do you know how long that'll take!" Garfield snapped, a bit grumpy, "My ice cream…" He finished pitifully, staring sadly at his frozen treat.

Kori sighed and looked at her ice cream, brain reeling as she tried to come up with a solution. With a jolt of realization, Kori snapped her fingers face triumphant.

"I know!" With that Kori took her carton and jammed it between her legs.

The frozen ice cream carton seared her warm skin, as she then used her hands to work the sides.

"Uh, Kori?" Garfield questioned looking at her oddly.

"Yes BB?" Kori questioned, smiling through chattering teeth.

"What're you doing?" He finished.

"Oh I get it!" Victor interrupted finger held up triumphantly. He then took his ice cream carton and began mashing the sides in with his warm hands. Kori laughed, teeth chattering, as her idea spread.

Richard smiled lightly and put his carton between his own legs. He looked over at Kori who was still shivering yet still trying to melt her ice cream all the same.

Kori's teeth chattered violently as she continued working the ice cream. Her hands were numb and it was slowly working its way up to her shoulders when she suddenly felt something warm. She stopped shivering momentarily and a confused look crossed her features. A black jacket was now draped over her shoulders. A giant, knowing smile spread on her face.

"Thank you," She smiled softly, her cheeks a tinge red as she turned to the black haired boy next to her. He wasn't looking at her. Instead he was aloof, staring at the ceiling as he melted his ice cream. However, Kori could see a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Garfield rolled his eyes at the sickening display.

"Dudes! I still don't get what—" He turned toward Victor as he saw the jock chugging his ice cream like a giant milkshake.

His green eyes widened as he looked from his frozen ice cream carton to Victor. Time froze as sweet realization dawned on him. In a flash, he snatched his ice cream and began hugging it tightly against his chest. Ignoring the bitter cold that seared his torso.

Raven looked over at the group. They were freezing themselves just to get some cheap, school ice cream.

"Idiots…" Raven muttered. But not even she could ignore the tinge of fondness that was in her voice.

Ooo

"Come on Kori, what would you do?" Victor questioned, an eccentric smile on his features.

"I would… bark like a dog?" Kori replied giggling, already feeling the effects of a gallon of melted sugar.

"No no no, it's gotta be somethin' way out there, like… drinking a gallon of mustard!" Victor laughed insanely.

"A gallon? No that is quite distasteful," Kori giggled, a disgusted look on her face.

"Dude, did you not see your hot dog? It practically had a gallon on it," Garfield waved.

"It was barely half the bottle," Kori defended arms crossed, a cute pout on her features.

Richard watched on with an amused smirk on his features. The trio's sugar overdose had turned out to be highly entertaining.

"Well what would you do?" Kori huffed finally.

"Me?" Garfield questioned unnecessarily. Kori nodded fervently. "I would do anything for a Klondike bar," Garfield bragged, thumb pointed at his chest.

"Anything?" Kori questioned.

"Anything," Garfield confirmed with a confident smirk.

A large, slightly crazed grin formed on Victors face.

"I got one," With that he motioned Kori over. The redhead complied and Victor who was still grinning like an idiot whispered in Kori's ear.

Kori's eyes widened and she burst out into peals of laugher, as did Victor. Garfield stared at them, growing increasingly curious.

"What? What?" Garfield whined in a voice that could rival a three year old. Victor motioned him over, and there was more whispering. Garfield's eyes widened as well.

"No way!" Garfield exclaimed gesturing wildly, looking drunk. The group exchanged glances and the sugar induced trio burst into another fit of laughter.

If what was said was truly funny, or if the trio was just on a sugar high from melted ice cream, no one would ever know…

When the laughter had died down to a dull roar, Garfield wiped a tear from his eye, looking up at Richard.

"What about you Di—er Rich, what would you do?" Garfield questioned, still grinning, a smudge of tofu ice cream on his face.

"Yes Richard, what would you do for a Klondike bar?" Kori questioned taking her seat next to him and nudging him with her elbow.

"Umm…"

"Would you run naked through the tundra?" Garfield questioned.

Richard raised a brow. Kori, Victor and Garfield traded glances, before bursting into yet another fit of laughter. The ice cream mixed with the utter randomness of the statement had made the three clinically insane.

Richard looked over at Kori, whose face was now a tinge pink, her red hair a bit of a mess. She was holding her sides from laughing so hard. He smiled lightly.

"Maybe… for something other than a Klondike bar…" He said quietly, no one heard him. Richard looked up, past the laughing maniacs and spotted Raven.

Out of the loop, reading, seemingly not paying attention to the others crazed antics.

"What about Raven?" Richard questioned, Raven's head snapped up at the sound of her name, "What would she do for a Klondike bar?"

Raven turned her attention to Richard with a shadowed, curious glare. Richard met her glare and simply shrugged raising his brows.

"Yes! What would you do friend Raven?" The ever perky Kori questioned, wiping some tears of laughter from her eyes.

"Yeah, Hmm… What would be a good one…" Victor pondered hand on his chin.

"I've got one," Garfield interceded. "Would you take off your hood?" He questioned a goofy smile still on his face, but a serious intent look in his green eyes.

"Yeah! That's a good one Gar!" Victor responded, giving the lanky teen a hard slap on the back that knocked the wind out of him, "Take off your hood Raven," Victor concurred.

Raven sent one last glare at Richard before pulling her hood up to further hide her face.

"No thanks… I think I'll pass…" Raven responded dryly.

"Come Friend Raven, surely you are sick of wearing the hood now yes?"

"Not really…" With that she pulled it over her head tighter.

"Come on girl, you know you want the Klondike bar," Victor grinned raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, you are among friends! It is not too much of a dare yes?" Kori grinned.

Friends… Friends? Friends… Raven contemplated the word.

"We're not friends," Raven responded. She might as well not have said anything because it wouldn't sink into their heads anyway. Why did they think of her as a friend anyway? Were they friends? Was this typical 'friend' behavior? She wouldn't know. Raven never really had one. No one ever wanted to talk to her. She didn't mind… It just made it that much easier…

Raven stood. It was deathly quiet, the only sounds coming from his loud sniffles. He was drowning out the sweet smell of flowers with the burning smell of the drink. She stood silently at the edge of the deep, dark hole. A rose sat precariously on the edge. Raven watched as the rose tipped and fell silently in the void. Gone forever.

The only sound left was that of his sniffles.

"Dude! What is your deal, can't you just take it off once, for a second?"

"Perhaps it is because we do not have the Klondike bar with us?"

"If that's the case I can bring ya one on Monday, after all, what're friends for?"

There was that word again…

You better not show anyone.

I wasn't planning on it.

You wore that when your Mom…when she…

I know.

She's gone and I'm stuck with you…

…Silence…

I would trade in a heartbeat…

I'm late for school.

"Perhaps it is of sentimental value?"

"A hood Kori? What's so sentimental about wearing a hood?"

"Just a hypothesis…"

"She…she's gone…"

Raven stood still staring into the dark chasm. They were the only two left. She heard him get up. He was sniffling next to her.

"Did—didn't you hear! She's gone! She's fucking gone!" He grabbed her shoulders and began shaking her violently. "Damn you! Don't you care! Don't you care you little shit!"

Her head throbbed, she felt sick.

Her hood fell off as he shook. Two trails of crystalline tears streaked her pale cheeks.

He jumped away as though burned. Staring painfully at his hands.

"Oh God…" He collapsed into tears on the soil. "Oh God, oh God…"

Raven pulled up her hood. The shadows covered her face.

"I don't understand what the big deal is, It's just a hood,"

"If she does not wish to partake, perhaps we should just let her be… Perhaps there are some things we are not meant to understand about friend Raven,"

Raven grabbed her head. Bad images and memories she had were surfacing. Things that she didn't want to remember. Things she had kept locked away…

"Raven?" She heard Victor's voice, "You okay girl?"

Why did they care? It was so much easier when no one cared… Why was she thinking these things. They didn't affect her anymore. They were in the past. They were over. There was nothing she, or anyone else, could do to change it…

She needed to get away… she needed to run.

Is that what she wanted? To spend her whole life running? With no where to go?...

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on Raven, I mean, it's okay if you don' wan—" She jerked away harshly at the sound of Garfield's voice and feel of his warm hand. She caught his wide eyed, scared look as he backed away from her. Raven squeezed her eyes shut, trying to pound images out of her brain.

She was certain she had given…him… that same look many times…

Her eyes were wide and scared… she backed away ignoring her blurring eyesight. This wasn't her father… no… this wasn't happening… it wasn't… He advanced in a rage.

She had no where to run…

SMACK.

Stop it! You—you can't keep doing this to me! Get off me! Get off!

SHUT UP DAMNIT! SHUT THE F—

Raven covered her ears. Forcing the memory out. She quickly snapped back to reality.

"I—I'm sorry… Don't touch me. I don't like it when people touch me…" Raven amended.

Everyone was staring at her. In the same way they had stared at Richard earlier.

"Why Raven?" Richard questioned.

Raven felt suffocated. She could hear him in her head. She was confused. Did she want to tell them? Was it worth the risk?

"I just don't," she snapped, breathing harshly.

Everyone in the room was staring at her. She made eye contact with all of them. The room was spinning. Painful memories flooded to her mind. Begging to be let out, she couldn't… no…

but…

She found that she wanted them to ask. She wanted to have someone… anyone… care…

No… What good would that do… She was confused. No one had ever went deeper. No one had ever cared to ask why she had the hood…

Why did they? Why did they care. No one ever cared. No one… no one…

Calm down… Panicking will solve nothing… She took a deep breath. They were all still staring.

Taking a few deep breaths she found herself calming down. Her memories were back where they belonged. She couldn't let them see her like this. No one would ever see her like that.

It was awkwardly silent. The trio seemed to have sobered up and were staring unsure of what to do. Victor felt a headache coming on as he thought of having to deal with another Richard. Everything was just starting to go relatively normal too…

Raven exhaling one last time, grabbed her book and intently stared at its pages. She just had to remain calm. That's it… And while she could have easily walked out the door. Away from them all.

She found… she didn't want to go…

The clock continued ticking.

"Arrgghh! Dude! How can you do that?" Garfield spoke up, nearly tearing out his green tinted hair in aggravation.

Everyone's eyes darted to the lanky teens, while Raven resolutely pretended to ignore him. Garfield's eyes narrowed at her failure to acknowledge him.

"And that! Ignoring everybody! I try to be nice to you, we all try to be nice to you but you still treat us like my freezer burned ice cream!" Garfield announced, gesturing wildly and pointing to his empty carton of ice cream that had been left in the freezer for at least a decade. "How can we be your friends when you won't let us!"

And no matter how Raven tried to ignore it. Garfield's jabs hit her deep. Her grip on her book tightened. She had to control it… But she couldn't… She slammed it down and stood up. Garfield jumped back in shock but quickly gained composure.

"You just don't get it do you—" Raven started her voice dark.

"Get what! What don't I get?"

"Gar…" Victor started weakly. It was no use. He knew some big emotional thing was going to happen anyway. He just hoped he was ready for it.

"No!" He brushed off Victor without even looking at him, His gaze was still fixed on Raven, "I've had it with this mystery girl routine, first the milk, then your hood deal, what is with you?"

And Raven snapped.

"You want to know," Raven said quickly and harshly, her hand gripping her hood tightly, eyes narrowed dangerously.

And before she realized what she was doing, she felt her cropped hair ruffle and a slight wind rush her face. It was off.

Garfield stumbled back, eyes wide, mouth open like a fish out of water.

"Dear friend!" Kori gasped loudly, her hand flying over her mouth, her large green eyes were larger than saucers.

Richard had a stunned look for a fraction of a second, it was soon replaced with an unaffected, knowing look. As though he had figured it out already.

"Oh my God," Victor managed his face horrified.

Raven inwardly cursed herself. Stupid… stupid… She quickly covered her bruised face. She wasn't even going to try the age old, 'I fell into a brick wall' excuse. What had she done?...what had she done?

"Raven—I… dude I didn't kn—I didn't mean, what happened?" Garfield was stuttering incoherently. Staring at the shadowed area of her face, only seeing the black under the shadows.

"Who did that to you?" Richard questioned softly yet sternly.

"Just drop it…"

"You took it off," Richard pointed. Raven grit her teeth, knowing full well she had brought this upon herself.

"It's my problem, I'll deal with it," Raven all but growled, face hardened.

"Deal with that? Alone," Garfield announced pointing at her hood. Finally finding his ability to form sentences.

"Not gonna happen," Victor added.

"Yes Raven…" Kori supplemented, "No one deserves such treatment," She looked like she was about to cry.

The door was right there… all she had to do was…

but… she looked at all of her 'friends' faces.

Isn't that what she really wanted…

And the words just slipped.

"Let's just say I have issues with my father…" And as the words spilled from her mouth, she felt the strangest feeling of uttermost relief and a bone chilling fear. Snakes writhed in the pit of her stomach as her throat went dry.

It was out.

The secret she had kept for six years now was out. To a group of people she had just met six hours ago. Everything about it screamed 'mistake'. Yet…

"I thought I had problems with my Pops…" Victor said softly, barely over a whisper, looking at the floor and clenching his fist.

"No, this is wrong… This is all wrong," Kori breathed. Some tears went down her cheeks as she stared at Raven, "No one should be treated this way. Especially by their own Father! Oh Raven I—"

Raven put her fingers to her temple. That's all she needed, Kori to start crying, as though this wasn't hard enough. Raven couldn't even describe what she was feeling anymore. It was like a million different emotions had melded into one.

She wanted to scream. But what would that solve? She growled inwardly. Why did she always have to suppress everything she felt?

"Listen, I shouldn't have said anything. Just let it go. Forget I said anything," She looked away from everyone.

Kori, Richard, Garfield and Victor exchanged somber glances. Kori took a step forward.

"I am sorry Raven… but we cannot," Kori responded quietly, "Friends do not forget. Not some things."

"And they sure as hell don't let somethin' like this go," Victor too stepped up.

"It's okay Raven," She could feel Richard step up behind her.

She couldn't believe this was happening. What would happen to her? Would they tell? Would people come to take her away? Would they forget? Would they leave her as soon as they walked out the door? What was going to happen to him? What wouldhappen to her…

A million worries and feelings flooded her mind.

"You think you're alone Raven, but you're not," Garfield gave her a small smile.

And Raven looked at Garfield, Victor, Kori and Richard. A small, genuine slightly teary smile coming to her face. And for that single moment all her worries vanished. Her hood had somehow fallen off.

She had friends.

And they cared.

OOO

Ta-da! This was kinda my Breakfast Club getting high scene. Except with ice cream instead of pot :oD (Drug Free that's me :oD)

When, it came to Raven, man was this chapter hard to write. :oP Trying to balance her real character and personality with the needed emotional breakthrough and different past was hard. I hope I preserved the Raven everybody knows and loves for the most part.

And hooray! Next chapter everyone is finally more open and such! This next chapter will have more Raven/Starfire friendship in it most definitely. I really do love their friendship, but due to Raven's character, I couldn't realistically have her be friends with Star just yet. So yeah, more of that coming up :oD And more Titan interaction in general.

Sadness… the story's almost over :o( Just two more chapters. Maybe three, but as of now it is two.

I also want to make it a point that I did not write Raven's past to romanticize child abuse. Child abuse and abuse in general is a very serious issue that causes very serious problems. It is not something to be taken lightly, nor something to be used only to provide the whole 'knight in shining armor coming to the rescue' effect. I wrote this because I felt that this would be the closest to Raven's past in this parallel universe and to also show that there are people who do care, and there are people who want to help while it might not feel like it, Especially if you are the victim.

If I told you I knew what it was like to be physically abused I would be lying. I don't know what it must be like and I can't even imagine it. But I do know that it isn't something that anyone should have to deal with. And I know that it's easier to say than to do but I hope from the bottom of my heart that if anyone reading this has this problem or knows anyone who suffers from abuse would inform someone immediately.

No one deserves to be treated that way. Period.

You can make a difference in someone's life

Jesus loves you and God Bless :o)