-5 years later-

"Wow. Victor, is that really you?" Richard plopped down on his couch; the receiver being held against his shoulder by his head as he continued to eat his bowl of cereal without spilling a drop of it.

Upon not the unbelieving tone of his long time buddy, Victor laughed into the phone. "What, I sound different?"

Richard also chuckled, "Nah you just sound like a chick, is all."

"Hahah--Not funny." Victor replied, irked.

Richard laughed at his friend, glad upon hearing that he hadn't changed much.

"So what's up? I mean, you call me randomly out of 4 years. I thought we agreed that-"

"Yeah, yeah, but next month is the end of college. I just wanted to call to see if you were still-"

Richard smiled. "Like hell I would abandon you guys. I've been counting down the days since I would see you all." Feigning sadness, Richard added in a rueful tone. "What you don't trust little ol' me anymore?"

Victor couldn't help but love his buddy for his loyalty. "Yeah right, trust you, that's funny."

Richard rolled his eyes.

"But you had better not abandon us, or I would have gone all the way to Boston, just to beat little ol' you."

"I'd like to see you try, metal man." Richard replied instantly, using the nickname he and Garfield had given to him the last year of high school, earning a small chuckle from his friend on the line at the recollection. "You had better changed, or the 5 years of distance would have been in vain, you know."

"Yeah, I know. Same goes for you." Victor laughed.

"Oh, don't worry," Richard began cockily, "I don't think these guns can get any bigger."

It was Victor's turn to roll his eyes, "If anything, you haven't changed."

Richard laughed, it was true. He was a cocky bastard, and he always will be.

"I've called everyone before you; they are all coming as well. We all agreed to meet at the shore of Jump City in New York. I have a surprise for everyone." Victor replied in a more serious tone.

But Richard couldn't help but joke with his friend as he mocked a woman, speaking in a high pitched voice as he gasped, "Victor! Called everyone before me? Since when did I become your last choice! I thought we had gone through more than that. I am appalled and thoroughly disappointed."

Victor scoffed playfully, "And you say I have a womanly voice."

The two older men shared a good laugh before settling down.

"But really, how is everyone?" Richard asked.

"Everyone's fine; did you know Garfield got in to Duke?"

Richard sat there, dumbfounded. He actually didn't think that little dude could get into a bakery if they were needing of students.

"Wow."

"Yeah. But anyways, Terra and Kory both went to NYU."

"Oh yeah? Together?"

"Yup, it's a good thing too-Kory has no idea about what college is like here." Both Victor and Richard chuckled lightly.

Richard knew what college Victor got in to, he had been dreaming of going to ITT Tech for a long time.

"And Raven?" Richard asked, smiling at the funny memories he had with her.

Victor smirked, "She went to Yale. I've actually seen her; our schools took a trip together. You should see her, Rich." Victor ended the sentence with a whistle.

Slightly irked for the fact that his friend was checking her out, he swallowed his pride. "O-oh yeah?"

Victor listened for any sign, anything unusual.

"Mhmm."

Silence.

"Damnit Vic, what are you doing lookin' at Ra-" Richard stopped as he heard Victor laugh.

Victor laughed out loud, holding his stomach. "I was just kidding Rich, I haven't seen her any sooner than you have. I just wanted to see your reaction."

"Oh hardy har har, my good friend. This is only the beginning of revenge, I hope you know that."

Victor smiled.

"So, what? You got a secret crush on Terra? Kory? I can tell that you-"

"Actually, I'm engaged." Victor said as if it was nothing.

Richard literally spit out the eaten cereal within his mouth, onto the floor. "What did you just say?"

"Look at the time, I must really get going." Victor laughed at Richard's attempt to get some more information.

"Listen, you better tell me what's going on or I'll-"

"See ya in Jump City, Rich."

"Oh, don't you leave-"

Click.

Richard pulled the phone from his ear and glared at it before slamming it as he started to mumble incoherent words.

Walking back into the kitchen within his Harvard dorm, he fetched a few paper towels, prepared to clean the mess he made.

It was windy where she stood. Then again, it was probably always windy near the ocean. Her short lavender hair flew behind her as she faced the large pool of water. Just thinking about how large the ocean really was, was fascinating in itself. On the other side of the seemingly endless ocean, was probably another beach, with even more people swimming in its depths. Imagine that, the people around her were sharing the swimming water with people from a whole different continent, at the same time too, and they couldn't even see them let alone know who they were.

Raven stood with her hands clasped together behind her back; her legs together as she stood against the wind. College had actually been something else. She was surprised that she got into Yale, for it was her first choice.

When Victor called her, she had been caught off guard, and couldn't help but break the pencil she was about to use with her energy. He had told her that everyone he called so far were going to meet where she stood, on that day, on that hour. Then again, it would probably take people longer than she did. She just teleported here, deciding to be early and have a moment's peace before anyone came.

Raven's stomach churned inside her body; she was nervous. Not a bad nervous, an excited one. Of course, she didn't show it much; but she was. It had been 4 years since she last saw everyone, when they all went to different colleges.

Sighing; Raven waited in silence.

Richard pulled up to the docks where he was told to meet everyone. But so far; only one person was there. And the hair color gave away who it was immediately.

Smirking, he strolled onto the docks with his hands stuffed in his pockets. She was wearing blue jeans with a simple black T-shirt that fit her perfectly. Like herself, he couldn't really get rid of his high school style that quickly either. He walked in a baggy long sleeve shirt with equally baggy jeans; they almost were exact colors to her attire. Richard thought that was funny.

Walking directly behind her; Richard's smirk widened before covering her eyes with his hands. She didn't flinch.

"Guess who?" He mocked childishly in a sing-song voice.

If Raven could, she would have rolled her eyes.

"You're trying to fool someone with psychic abilities."

Raven heard Richard laugh, a small smile spreading on her own face. Their closeness only reminding her of the fact that she didn't have any contact with the opposite sex all of college. It was always study, study, and study.

Richard took his hands off her eyes without stepping away as he quickly grabbed her chin lightly and turned her head; planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

Raven blushed heavily as he moved away. "Nice to see you too." She remarked sarcastically, trying not to get too worked up.

Richard chuckled as he stuffed his hands back in his pockets and stood beside her; staring at the setting sun.

"So, how was Harvard?"

Surprised to hear Raven start a conversation, Richard only smiled. "It was good. How was Yale?"

"The same." Raven replied.

They were basked in more silence before Richard wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Is it just me, or did you get shorter?"

Raven's eyes tore away from the setting sun to glare up at the man next to her; knowing it sent chills down his spine. But if anything, the fact that she was letting him touch her was enough to send him to the hospital out of shock.

Laughing nervously; Richard decided to change the subject, even if it was true. "So what time is it?"

Raven turned her head to the hand on her shoulder. Looking upon the wrist, there lay an expensive watch.

"You have a watch."

"But I can't see it now can I?" Richard remarked, not breaking the eye connection that just started.

"Why don't you get your arm off me long enough to take a look?" Raven shot back.

"Promise not to move, and maybe I will." Grinning, Richard just discarded the whole idea and pulled the hand around her shoulder closer to his line of vision; intentionally bringing her to his chest.

"It is, 7:37." Richard remarked casually as he moved his hand back to normal, Raven once again standing beside him instead of against his chest.

With a bright pink face, Raven looked in the other direction.

After another moment of quiet, Richard got an idea.

"Let's take a swim."

It wasn't his brightest ideas, but it was worth a try.

Raven looked back in front of her; "No."

"You're right, bad idea. How about you go swimming, and I can watch."

Richard didn't even notice the hand on his back until he felt the hand push him forward. Loosing balance; he fell into the water next to the end of the dock.

Raven couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he made a small noise like an animal before plunging in.

After rising to the surface, spitting the salt water out of his mouth, he glared at the laughing woman.

Oh heck, he couldn't be mad at her, she was laughing. And looked so beautiful in doing so.

Richard smiled along with her, about to ask her for her 'help' out, when Raven suddenly turned around.

"Kory? Terra?" He heard her say the moment the said girls engulfed Raven in a bone-crushing hug.

Kory had definitely gotten taller than both Terra and Raven, he wondered if she was even taller then he was. Richard wouldn't be surprised, her parents and sister were skyscrapers.

Richard grabbed onto the end of the deck, startling the two new girls.

"Raven! Watch out there is a merman!" Kory had squealed, making Richard snicker.

"No, just someone stupid enough to go for a swim at a time like this." He heard Raven remark, making his snicker cease.

Pulling himself up, Kory and Terra both squealed his name at the same time before Kory grabbed his arm and pulled him completely out of the water using her supernatural strength.

Richard had almost gone flying as Kory pulled him out, but no less he was out and ready for revenge.

Both Kory and Terra just shook his hand and gave him a kiss on a cheek, not wanting to get their clothes wet. And he understood; he didn't want to get his clothes wet today either. Richard gave Raven an evil smirk, her warning.

Right when Raven was about to step away, Richard grabbed her hand, whipping her around as he caught her in his embrace. Hugging her waist, Richard bent his neck down towards her so his hair would soil her own.

Kory and Terra were giggling the whole time, especially at Raven's inconvenience. Raven had her hands out, not knowing what to do with them at the moment. No one noticed a wave be engulfed in black energy before going another foot in the air and collapsing.

Richard bent his head lower, so that his nose was resting on her shoulder as he leaned his head more onto her own; trying to make it wet. He couldn't help but inhale her sweet scent; it had changed from a natural lavender to a woman's perfume. She smelled wonderful.

"Alright you a-"

"Getting a little comfy, I see."

Everyone looked to see Garfield and Victor grinning down at the two huggers.

Raven turned around to see her two friends. So she broke free from Richard's wet grasp and went straight into Garfield's.

'I missed you.' Raven sent him telepathically. It was true; she had really missed her best friend. The 4 years after high school had been the longest they had ever been away from each other.

Garfield smiled as they stepped away from the hug and nodded in agreement.

She went to Victor as Garfield began greeting the rest of the group.

Garfield had hugged both Kory and Richard, and was now in Terra's hold; lips connected as they kissed lovingly.

By seeing the wide-eyed expressions the group were giving the couple, Kory explained. "They had talked on the phone and visited each other occasionally."

With that said, everyone nodded in understanding as Garfield and Terra continued to hug after their kiss.

"So what's this big surprise you were talking about, Vic?" Richard asked as he tried to fix his now dripping wet hair.

Victor smirked, "You see that odd shaped building in the middle of the ocean?"

The whole group simultaneously turned all the way around, looking towards the ocean. Sure enough; there was an odd shaped building, but it was hard to see for the fact that the only way to see it was to peek around the other buildings and squint your eyes.

"Just barely, but yeah. What about it?" Terra answered for the group.

Victor couldn't help but break into a heart warming chuckle, "That's our new home."

Everyone stared at him.

"What did you just say?"

Victor just shrugged with a smile on his dark face, "If you don't believe me then."

Garfield walk out of Terra's embrace and stood nose to nose with the smug Victor, no doubt having to stand on his toes with the taller man.

"If you're lying, so help you God."

"I ain't lying!"

Kory squealed in delight as she bounded into the air and floated; the beach was practically abandoned since it was practically night. "This is such wonderful news!"

The group smiled in delight, this was good news.

"…But how... I mean, don't get me wrong, this is great and I so call the best windowed view bedroom, but how did this happen?" Richard asked, making Garfield pout, as he was about to call it.

Victor began to walk towards the large T tower, the group following him for an explanation. "During the 3rd year of ITT Tech, I had really wondered where we would stay. After that conversation in the park; I was sure none of us would want to just go back to our previous homes, or at least not mind not going back. So I was thinking; we're a team of supernatural adults. We should be able to live together."

"I was thinking the same thing," Richard agreed, "I wanted to explain but I was so busy."

"That's understandable; I've heard Harvard was filled with hot ladies." Garfield drawled out; his eyebrows moving up and down suggestively.

"Go on, Vic." Garfield coughed out as he received a hard nudge in the ribs from Terra.

"Anyway, I came here to talk with the mayor. I had heard of a small open land, as an island, just off the border of Jump City. I knew that would be perfect for us." Victor replied. "So I explained almost everything to the mayor-"

"Is it just me, or is this situation a lot like the Power Puff Girls?" Garfield asked childishly.

"It's just you." Everyone replied in unison.

"You watch too many cartoons." Raven rolled her eyes. "Keep going, Victor." She said before Garfield could keep rambling.

"Thank you, Raven. Anyway, after I explained, he looked at me as if I was attending a mental institution. So I guess the only way for me to explain things better, was to show him. I changed into my mechanical self, and quickly asked if he ever remembered hearing of the capture of a large and wanted gang from California. After hearing that he had, I showed him a recorded tape of us kicking their ass-which by the way, I was taping with my mechanical eye. Cool, huh? Boy have I got lots to show you, I updated everything, being in ITT Tech, on my mechanical body, you should really see it I-"

"Victor." Terra cut in as Kory began to giggle. "You're rambling."

Smiling sheepishly, Victor apologized and kept going. He explained how the mayor had made him sign a contract, that if they helped the city with their high crime rate, he will build a special dwelling just for the Titans. As well as equipping them with material to create weapons, he will equip the large T itself with weapons and security. It was amazing really.

"Well, can you believe it?" Richard spoke; he didn't remember the last time he had been this happy in a while. "We've gone through education, we have a home, living with your best friends, might I add. And we get to kick bad-guy ass as a living, and to top it all off, we live in a huge T that probably cost more than this damned city."

"It's damned now," Garfield said, "But after we're done with, it won't be." He laughed.

"Damn straight." Victor agreed.

On the outside, the team was smiling and giddy; but on the inside, they were in extreme euphoria.

-A Year later-
Nightwing stood from his crouched position in the shadowed alley. The Titans were roaming around the darkened city; a mysterious group had stolen the next to priceless necklace from a museum. How? No one knows; for the museum was heavily coated with security.

Nightwing heard the familiar sound of Raven entering through the floor behind him.

"Nothing." She replied quietly.

Not needing to turn around, Nightwing answered, "Alright then. I have one more place to check, care to tag along?"

Raven scoffed lightly, "Look who's talking."

With that said, Raven stepped forward and set her hand on his shoulder as a large black raven engulfed both of them in it's shadow.

It took a while for Nightwing to get used to, but he was, finally. Another second of stomach dropping and a swift turn, Nightwing was disposed from the black shadow as the shadow itself turned into his lavender haired friend.

The group usually split into groups of two. Raven and Nightwing, so that Raven would be in the air if need be and Nightwing would take the streets. The same went for Starfire and Cyborg, Star in the sky while Cy took the ground. Also the same rules went for Beast Boy and Terra; though they could switch roles anytime for Terra could always float on a rock, or walk. While Beast Boy could just fly, or just run.

Nightwing chuckled at the names. He remembered when they had given each other names; Raven didn't want to change her name. We thought that was ok; for her only family was her siblings and they could keep a secret. Plus Raven itself was an awkward name. But we never told her that up front.

But on the subject of her siblings, they visited every once in a while. Kory and Crow had begun to date; and
I noticed how Crow began to laugh and smile more often; but not so much that he had totally changed. He was still the same cool blooded guy on the street. But the same rules had applied when he was angry; don't
get in arm's length unless your name was Kory and had supernatural powers.

Falcon, like everyone would have guessed, is a trouble making teen. Once he reached teen hood; it was a lost cause to try to even set him right. Now at the age of 17; Falcon is almost a spitting image of Crow; but he had a more mischievous look to him; plus he has spiky hair. Like he always had. Oh, and about the 'I'm so in love with Terra' thing. If anything, he just pretends to still be in love with her for the sake of seriously pissing off Garfield. Falcon loved trouble.

Dove had just turned 11, but she hadn't changed much. She was still the sweet blonde girl next door, type. Dove didn't tag along around the group much; even if we didn't mind. She was well mannered like that.

Victor was getting married soon to a woman he had met in ITT Tech. She was pretty; but she had a sharp tongue. She lived in the Tower with us, and usually helped out with the cleaning. Her name was Beth; but Victor usually called her Bee. It seemed so long ago when Victor told me suddenly that he was engaged; and now he was getting married in a few months.

Garfield had taken Victor and I shopping, which might sound weird. But he had asked about jewelry, rings specifically; and we knew what that meant. Terra and Garfield had been going steady for a long time now. Sure; they butt heads once in a while; but it would always be hilarious to watch. And of course, their fights would always result with a night in each other's rooms.

Well, I guess that just leaves Raven and me. What about us? Nothing really happened between us in the past year. Everyone was getting engaged or married, it's upsetting really. I talked about it with my childhood best friend Kory; she agreed that Victor and Garfield were too young for marriage; but she believed that they were really in love, so it didn't matter.

Kory had asked me a question, an awkward one. She asked, if I was in love with Raven.

That stirred me some. Could I really love her? I couldn't give Kory an answer. The rest of that day I thought about it. Did I love her? Could I? Love had always given me the impression of long make-outs, occasional lovemaking, and exchanging 'I love you's. But, I hadn't even kissed Raven. Well yeah on the cheek when she wasn't ready occasionally and randomly, which by the way is always funny to watch her turn red. But I had never touched her perfect lips, never had her eyes shut in pleasure. None of it, and yet, I was actually considering the fact that I had fallen in love.

That's a good way to word it; I fell in love. When you fall; you don't really take it in until it's hit you full blast. I guess that's what happened to me, I fell in love with Raven and didn't even notice until Kory had brought it up.

After that conclusion, I noticed myself taking notice to everything she did, everything she said. In all honesty, I surprised myself. Really, could Raven be that important? No girl had taken my attention as much as she did. I couldn't help but laugh at how I used to think the only reason she was made on this earth was for me to hate her to no extents. But look at me; I fell in love with her. Ever since I was young; Hate and Love were so distant from each other; it would take forever to change my opinion from hating to loving someone. In fact, I think I had only loved two other people this much. My parents of course. But
Raven had gone from hate to love with me, and it all seemed like yesterday too.

Amazing.

Whoa, how had I gone from how we got our names, from loving Raven? Strange how the mind races.

Anyway, Terra didn't really want to change her name, for the fact that if her 'parents' did find out it was her, then maybe, just maybe, they would be sorry for what they had done. Maybe, they would finally proud of her.

Garfield; whose alias was Beast Boy, had been named by Raven. She was, I guess, joking around as she called him a beast. Which he took pride by, then he suddenly stood tall and said BEAST BOY! Walla.

Victor was also an easy one; he is what he was named. Being a half robot and half human, the only name appropriate was Cyborg. Liking the ring to it; he accepted.

Let's see... Ah yes, Kory. Kory had named herself Starfire. She would always love the fascinating light her starbolts would make and as much as Crow would tell her it wasn't fire, she would always call it her 'green fire'. It got annoying to the point where Raven shook her, repeating that it wasn't fire, but the light from a star. That took a while to actually research; but Crow, who had taken scientific researcher as a job and was making millions off the fact that he was the only one we let study our team, but he had finally proven it. So one day; Kory began to mix them together saying Starfire, and there you have it. Corny as it may seem, she thought it was cute.

Now to explain, Nightwing. Which is I. Honestly it's a really long story. I don't really remember how everyone had gotten it. I just remember everyone was sitting around the common room, speaking random things about me. My likes; dislikes, random food which they thought was my favorite. My group had given me so many suggestions. Finally, don't ask why, but I liked the one Terra had said. Robin. Again, don't ask why. I was thinking it over; and I just kinda thought it was too... young-ish? No, childish was the word. So I told them it was good, but try to make another based off that. Eons later; I don't remember who, but someone blurted Nightwing. Had a nice ring, and I could kind of get how they got from Robin to Nightwing. Well, the obvious relation to a bird, and yeah. The birth of the Titans.

The sudden click of the communicator was heard, snapping Nightwing out of his thoughts.

"Cyborg and Kory got the group leader." Raven said monotonously. "Beast Boy wants everyone to go out for pizza, so he'll meet you there."

"And what about you?" Nightwing asked, turning around.

Raven shrugged, "Pizza is getting old."

"Maybe."

They stood in silence for another moment before Raven turned to walk away.

"You're walking home?"

"I feel like it." Raven answered without stopping.

Another second of thinking led Nightwing to jog after her. He could always get pizza anytime.

Raven didn't question Nightwing as he continued to walk by her side, letting her guard down. That's how it always around with them. Raven would let her guard down and he would usually make a small advance, something she was used to.

And as predicted, Nightwing wrapped an arm around the small of her back bringing her closer to him as she crossed her arms over her chest; cold.

Nightwing began to chuckle; "I still find it hilarious how Terra and Kory went 'shopping' for our outfits."

Raven smirked, "I can't believe they made us all wear tights." Raven looked down at her own outfit for a moment before looking back in front of her. "I had to dye this thing black because they had bought me a bright purple one."

"I don't see why you had to also make this cape." Nightwing grabbed a small part of it and rubbed it in between his fingers. "It's a nice material and all, but what's the use?"

Raven blushed, "I just wanted it, alright?" In all honestly, she felt completely exposed in her black leotard outfit. "Plus it kind of resembles the Latin monk's robes I told you about who I have to thank for creating this power."

"Oh, I see." Nightwing regarded his own black and blue tight-fitted outfit for a moment, "At first I hated this. But after all the looks from the ladies, I actually started to like it."

"Ever so smug, aren't we?"

"Ever so." Nightwing smirked down at her.

Raven looked up at his masked eyes before looking ahead of her again. It was hard to try and keep eye contact if you couldn't even tell where his eyes were. But she had gotten used to his masked face; and she rarely saw his icy blue orbs anymore.

Nightwing kept looked down at her, the smirk fading. He loved to just look at her, to memorize her, and he knew that she couldn't keep eye contact for the fact that she couldn't see his eyes. But it didn't matter, as long as he saw her in his line of vision. Looking at her profile, he started at her eyes. Her amethyst seemed to glow at night, the moon also seeming bounce off them. Slowly going down the bridge of her nose, his gaze lingered on her small button nose. He wondered from what origin she was from; her nose looked slightly European.

Traveling south, his gaze stopped completely at her lips. They weren't perfect and he actually loved slightly dampened, large lips. But hers were, ordinary, normal. Her bottom lip was reddened and slightly swollen, he knew she bit her lips often.

His eyes darted to her eyes for a second before looking back down at her lips, tempted to turn her facing him and kiss her full on. But he couldn't, what would she do? What would she say? That could jeopardize their friendship. A friendship he had worked so hard for.

Sighing, he gave up the idea and let his forehead rest on her temple. "I'm sorry."

Raven, who was already blushing as he let his forehead rest on her head, wondered what he was talking about. Before she was about to ask, he tilted his head slightly and kissed her cheek. He let his lips linger a second more than he usually did before completely removing himself off of her so that they didn't even touch.

Her curiosity grew; already accustomed to the kisses on the cheeks even if this one was almost at the corner of her mouth. "Nightwing?" Raven stopped walking.

Sighing, he turned to look at her, smiling ruefully. "I just can't help it, you know, to touch you so often. And for that, I'm sorry."

A forgotten courage of love came to her suddenly, and in one moment, she was directly under his gaze. "If anything, Richard, the fact that you keep missing is what's ticking me off."

Richard looked at her curiously as she wrapped an arm around his neck, no doubt having to stand on her toes even if it was unlike her to be so bold. Relief struck him as he saw the half-lidded look in her eyes. Smiling down at her, he closed the gap and finally, he kissed her.

Raven smiled at the giddy expression Richard held as they broke apart. He was just a child at heart when he was happy.

In the end, it was just a coincidence that they were in each other's arms. If one of them had not come to school that day or for any reason refused to help with the science project, who knew where one would be?

A fact that they all chose to accept, was that from that point on; they had all, Changed Forever.

Fin.

…Wow. Finished!

Another story finished? Amazing. Well—for me it is. Lol. NOW TO START WITH THE SEQUEL! (For All I Really Wanted.)

I just want to thank EVERYONE who reviewed…I would gladly answer all reviews…(If I freakin' could!) DAMN YOU FAN FICTION ADMINISTRATION!

Well, I'll see you in "Was For You to Love Me."

-Sincerely yours,
Monica.

PS: I will be taking a small break after this. Don't worry—since school isn't starting all over again, it won't take another month and a half. Maybe one or two weeks, and in the mean time, I will be cleaning up both stories. You know, taking away unnecessary A/N's and chapter Notes. So if you see this story as well as All I Really Wanted being updated frequently; then you know I'm only fixing up the chapters. I will also leave a small note like this in All I Really Wanted as a reminder.

PSS: notice how i have a whole new style of romance...in my last story they had makin' out, kissed..'rubbed' lol, and in my oneshot they ended with intercourse, but here, all they did was flirt, hug, and end with thier first kiss. Wow. How..different of me. I'm pround of myself. Why? I dont know.