Chapter 3:

In Which Raven Discovers the Horrors of Swimwear and Takes Midnight Stroll

Raven:

"Wait did you say we're taking an airplane first?"

Raven looked up from her book to see Beastboy staring at Cyborg, his green face slightly pale and his eyes lost in what looked to be quite frightening thoughts.

"Yah what's wrong with that?" answered the metal man, pouring himself a soda, "We gotta fly down to Miami first before we board the cruise."

"Um, nothings wrong with that, it's just that airplanes make me kinda…nervous." Replied Beastboy softly as he emerged from his trance. Raven saw his fingers grip the counter tightly like it was his lifeline.

"Well bring a bag or something in case you get sick. I don't want you running to the bathroom every couple minutes, or even worse, using my lap instead."

Beastboy nodded, unclenched his hands, and wobbled unsteadily over to the sofa where he fell back onto the cushions and put his head in his hands. Raven watched him curiously, wondering how something like an airplane could frighten Beastboy. They had flown in the T-ship more times than she could remember and he had never once acted this strangely.

"Why so worked up? You've flown before." said Raven while her eyes scanned the page of her book. He looked over at her and shook his head.

"I've never flown on an actual airplane. The T-ship I'm comfortable with because I know that Cyborg has everything under control, but with those commercial airliners..." His voice faded and he shuddered, "You hear all those horrible stories on TV about plane crashes." Raven set her book down on her lap and looked over at Beastboy who was still staring off into space. She could almost see images of plane wrecks flashing before his eyes. Raven considered comforting him, but that seemed a bit much, so she shrugged and once again raised the book to her face.

Suddenly the door flew open and Starfire entered the room cheerfully with her arms laden in shopping bags that ranged from American Eagle to Hot Topic to even Victoria's Secret.

"I have returned from the mall of shopping with clothes for me and Raven." She announced proudly. You would have thought she had saved the world from certain doom with the smile she was wearing. Of course that was Starfire for you.

At the sound of her name Raven looked up to see Star holding a small bag out towards her.

"I hope you find the suit of bathing sufficient for your needs. It is black like you wanted." She beamed at Raven who took the bag as if it were diseased and peered inside. Raven eyes widened at what she saw.

"You have got to be kidding me…"

"Lemme see!" said Beastboy reaching over and grabbing the bag from her hands before she could stop him.

"Give that back!" Raven cried out lunging at him as he stood up. He moved back so she landed flat on the carpet, knocking some air out of her lungs. Horrified she looked up and watched as Beastboy pulled out small piece of black cloth barely recognizable as a string bikini.

"What is this?" he asked flipping it around and stretching it out curiously. 'This is not happening' she thought as she sat back on the sofa.

Suddenly Raven's tea cup on the table exploded, sending bits and pieces of china everywhere. She closed her eyes tight and willed herself to be in control. 'It's just a bathing suit, it's not important.'

"Whoa is this what I think it is?" came his voice again.

One by one light bulbs and glasses began to shatter throughout the living room, plunging the living room into shadows. Suddenly there was a sharp slapping noise and she heard him cry out in pain. Opening her eyes she saw a red hand print on Beastboy's face, while Cyborg was standing next to him, holding the offending piece of swimwear towards her on his fingertip. Quickly Raven snatched it and shoved it back into the bag, her cheeks burning a fiery red that was fueled by her humiliation and anger. She got up to leave the room and pushed her way past the other Titans who were all looking at the floor in embarrassment, except Starfire of course who had no clue what had happened. On her way out she saw Robin take Beastboy aside. 'That's odd' she thought, but it quickly faded from her mind. She was too angry to care about anything that had to do with Him.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning, so everybody be in the car at 8:00!" announced Cyborg as the door slid shut with a 'whoosh' behind her.

Once Raven was free from the nightmare that had occurred in the living room she headed back to the safety of her own dwelling. There she threw the shopping bag into a corner where it lay dejected and refused, and collapsed onto her bed with her face buried in her pillow. Its familiar smell was comforting and after a few deep breaths Raven felt in control again. She was safe for now, and soon her spinning mind slipped into slumber.

She had a fitful sleep that night, full of unsettling dreams and troubling visions. The next morning she woke up in a sweat. She had had a most disturbing dream that somehow she thought had something to do with her favorite caged emotion. As if she knew she was being thought of, Love suddenly piped up in Raven's head.

"Well that last dream was quite interesting, wasn't it?"

"Somehow I think that was your doing."

"Really? And why would you think something like that?" came the sweet voice. Raven scowled but recalled the dream nevertheless:

She had been walking along the beach at night under a beautiful full moon. It floated gracefully over the water and its silvery reflection was displayed on the waves. A soft breeze blew through her hair as the waves lapped at her bare feet. The mood was wonderfully soothing and relaxing. Suddenly she felt a presence behind her, and Raven turned to see Beastboy standing not far behind her in nothing but his board shorts. Looking down at herself, she realized she was wearing the bathing suit that Starfire had bought her. She was not ashamed however and in fact it made her feel beautiful. She faced him, wanting him to see her and hoping secretly in her heart that he would also be pleased. He walked towards her smiling that smile she knew so well and one she had always longed to return. His hand were now placed gently on her hips and pulling her towards him. Closer and closer still until her bare stomach came in contact with his, sending shivers up her spine. Now her mouth was only a breath from his. She focused her eyes on his lips and she could almost taste them on her own. They drew closer, and he tilted his head and closed his eyes, preparing for the kiss… when she woke up.

Now as she thought about, it scared her how much she had wanted it. But that was in the dream. Surely she wouldn't even consider doing something like that in the real world. Then another thought hit her. What if it was a vision and not just a dream? What if she had seen what was to come? Did he like her? 'Oh who am I kidding' she thought sticking a mental pin through her balloon of hope. 'Nobody would ever love a demon, especially not Beastboy'. Raven rubbed her eyes sleepily. It was only morning and she was already emotionally exhausted.

"Listen I know how much you're enjoying reliving that dream, but I think you better check out the time sweetie." Love told her. Raven looked at the clock which read 7:58. The cruise! The other Titans would be leaving at 8!

"Crap I only have 2 minutes to get ready!" she said aloud flinging back the covers.

Raven jumped out of bed already fully dressed from yesterday. She levitated the contents of her closet into the open suitcase on the floor, zipped it, glanced at the shopping bag laying on its side in the corner, hesitated then grabbed it, and was out the door with her luggage tailing behind her in the air as she ran down the hallway full speed. She burst into the living room expecting to find her friends there waiting, but no friendly faces greeted her from the kitchen or the sofa. The room was completely empty and silent.

"No!" Raven cried out and the suitcase behind her fell to the floor with a thud that seemed to echo in the vacant room.

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