A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! I had a lot of ways I could take this story and it took me a while to decide which one I liked. Since no one was reviewing (hint) anyway, I figured no one was reading so I could take my time on this one. Hope you like it! Don't forget to review!

Deals, Chapter 5

"I want another chance," Rachel said excitedly, standing from the edge of my bed as I entered the room. She was dressed exactly like me. It was like looking in a mirror except for the eagerness in her eyes.

"Another chance at what?" I asked cautiously. I had just returned from meditating and was in no mood for guessing games.

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Another chance at Robin, of course," she said. "I know I can make this work."

I stared at her, confused. "Make what work?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I know you have a crush on Robin," she said smugly. "I am you after all. And I can tell he has feelings for you, too. So I want a chance to see how far I can take this relationship. What's the worst that can happen?"

"No way," I said seriously. "The worst that can happen is that the others find out about this. Did you think about that?"

"As a matter of fact, I did," she replied easily. "To keep the others from finding out about this deal you made, I'll just have to make something up." She gave a small shrug. "I have no problem with that."

I was curious. "What would you say?" I asked with mild interest.

"How about," she said thoughtfully, "'I' being you, of course, 'am able to have emotions freely when certain planets are in alignment.' Or something like that. Come on. Take a chance. You can't leave me cooped up in here all week. That would be pointless. In a sense, you'll be there with me and can pull me out with your powers when you think I'm crashing." She flung her hands out in despair. "Please?"

I bowed my head, contemplating what my decision should be. "You're right about one thing," I said quietly, head still bowed. "I can't keep you locked up in here. Lou suggested that I send you away, but by the time you found somewhere and settled in, the week would be over.

I sighed and looked up, giving her a grudging nod. "I don't like it, but I guess I'll let you try it." She cried out with delight and I stopped her with a raised hand. "Remember: Everyone out there thinks that you're Raven, not Rachel. When Raven has had emotions in the past, it was because something was wrong. Just ease the other Titans into it at first."

"Got it, Chief," she said, giving me a mock salute. "You won't regret it." And she left the room.

"Let's hope not," I murmured, lying down on my bed, awaiting the events that were about to unfold.

Rachel made her way down the hallway, smiling with satisfaction, her heart singing with delight. She was only halfway to the kitchen and she could already hear Cyborg and Beast Boy arguing.

"I need more tofu," Beast Boy said loudly.

"And I need more corndogs," Cyborg added.

"Dude, do you have any idea what's in those?" Beast Boy said in disgust.

"Nope," Cyborg retorted. "And I don't want to." Rachel dropped the smile and entered the kitchen just in time to see him shove a handful of bacon into his mouth, causing Beast Boy to look slightly nauseated.

"What's going on?" Rachel inquired, pulling out the tea kettle and filling it with water.

"It is my week for the shopping of the food," Starfire answered, adding a glob of peanut butter to her scrambled eggs. "Beast Boy and Cyborg were informing me as to what is needed, yet I am unsure that I will remember it all."

"So why don't you make a list?" Rachel asked, pulling out a tea bag and placing it in her cup.

"I would, but I have a tendency to lose these lists," Starfire admitted, taking a sip from her glass of mustard. "Then I might purchase the wrong product. Did you know that the store of food has six different kinds of Beast Boy's tofu?"

"Yeah, and I only like one of them," Beast Boy said. "The others taste like old shoes."

"How would you know what old shoes taste like?" Cyborg asked suspiciously. An unwelcome blush crept into Beast Boy's cheeks. He shoved a large spoonful of tofu eggs into his mouth to keep from answering.

"Why don't all three of you go?" Robin asked, as though it should be obvious. Rachel saw him look at her out of the corner of his eye, but she pretended she didn't see him. "That way," he continued, "you all get what you need. As long as somebody remembers my energy drink."

"And my tea," Rachel added, pouring the water into the cup.

"Can't. Waxing the T-car today," Cyborg said tersely.

"Dude, you did that yesterday," Beast Boy pointed out.

Cyborg's cheeks briefly flushed scarlet, though his embarrassment quickly turned to annoyance. "At least I keep it clean. Which is more than I can say for your room."

"I clean my room," Beast Boy answered indignantly. The room became eerily quiet as they all stared at him in disbelief. "What?"

"When was the last time you cleaned your room?" Cyborg asked, genuinely curious.

Beast Boy thought about it for a minute. "Um, I'll have to get back to you on that," he finally answered.

Rachel sat at the table beside Robin as it was the only seat available and sipped her tea quietly. Her heart was hammering foolishly due to his nearness. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he was watching her but finally resumed eating. She knew he wanted to talk about last night, but now was not the time.

"I would greatly enjoy your company, Cyborg," Starfire said softly, "and you as well, Beast Boy. But I understand if you have other things that must be done today. I shall do my best in retrieving the items that you require, though I cannot promise that I shall succeed."

Cyborg and Beast Boy groaned in defeat. "Star, only you can make grocery shopping sound like the Battle of Armageddon," Cyborg said tiredly as he and Beast Boy left the table and placed their dishes in the sink. "I'm in, as long as we pick up pizza for lunch."

"How can you be thinking about food already?" Beast Boy asked, following Cyborg out of the room. "You just ate breakfast, and a pretty big one at that."

"What can I say? I'm a growing boy," Cyborg retorted.

"This shall be a most glorious day," Starfire exclaimed, flying after them.

Robin and Rachel sat in silence for a few minutes, though Rachel knew it would not last. "Damn it," she whispered, getting Robin's attention as she set her tea cup down. She reached out, placed a hand behind his head, and pulled him in to press their lips together in a passionate kiss.

At first, there was no response. A flicker of dread coursed through Rachel and she began to pull away from him. He wrapped an arm around her and yanked her back into him, capturing her lips with his.

Rachel's hands found their way into Robin's hair and she began weaving her fingers through slowly. He wrapped both his arms around her waist and started moving his hands up her back, sending shivers up and down her spine. She slid her tongue over Robin's bottom lip. He eagerly opened his mouth to accept and the kissing became more heated.

Finally, Rachel broke the kiss, pushing gently against Robin, though he didn't release her. They sat there for a few moments, trying to regain their breath. Robin was the first to speak.

"Who are you and what have you done with Raven?" he asked.