Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans nor the storyline of The Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen…I am merely borrowing them and twisting them in my own way.

SUMMARY: It was supposed to be a day of celebration for her daughter as well as her husband. But when an uninvited guest decides to crash the party and attacks her, Raven did more than survive. She emerged a woman completely transformed, with an exquisite beauty that one can only find in fairytales. However, it wasn't the happy-ending she wanted. Instead, it was the beginning of her worst nightmare. Her attacker is still out there, determined to finish what he started, but for Raven, protected by a new face, is just as determined to strike back and get her revenge. But getting her target would mean Raven would have to expose herself, revealing her identity for the first time.

A/N: Hello there P This is my very first story ever written on After reading so many wonderful fics and becoming a frequent visitor on the site, I've always been inspired to write a story for people to read. I've written numerous times but they were always for classes. Now, I've become a new author on fanfiction and very new at writing merely out of pleasure. So I hope this story won't disappoint and hopefully in the end I'll feel good about it. Anyways, about this story…at first I wanted to write a oneshot about Raven to start things off, but as I sat in front of my computer typing away, the story wasn't going anywhere and it didn't make any sense at all. So I deleted the whole thing. But this morning, an idea popped in my head, one that was inspired from the book by Iris Johansen- The Ugly Duckling, and it's dying to be written. However, it could hardly be called a oneshot, considering that it might be longer than three chapters, maybe even more, depending if I still want to write it. But I'll give it a shot and I'll leave it to you, my fellow readers, to decide its fate. So let me present to you…

The Ugly Duckling

By Sherabaroo

"Sir, we've pinpointed where the traitor is. We found him in a coffee shop called Jump Café, on the corner of Forest Avenue, and we followed him to his home. He lives with his wife and daughter in a mansion, just outside Jump City," informed the voice from the speakerphone. It was raining outside and the impatient listener could hardly distinguish the voice from the pitter patter of the rain. "If you'll let us, we can finish him off right now."

"No," said an exasperated Slade, whose patience was wearing thin. "How many times do I have to tell you idiots? Or must I drill it into your hard-rock skulls for you to understand? I said to wait until this Saturday. And we're not killing him just yet…we're sending him a warning."

"But sir, we should get him when he least expects it. We-"the voice was cut off short, with a gloved finger on the speaker button. Before saying anything, Slade took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down so as not to lash out.

"If you don't come back in half an hour, I'll finish you off instead of him," warned Slade, with a voice as deadly as venom. If it had any effect, it could have paralyzed the listener on the other end of the phone.

"…Yes sir, we're on our way," the voice squeaked in response, ashamed to have protested against his boss.

Slade let go of the button and hung up. He allowed the dial tone to echo in his office. Sighing, he released a long stretch of breath and made a mental note. I need to remember to hire someone else for my assignments.

- - - - - - - - - -

Standing at the open entrance to her balcony, Raven smiled. She loved the rain. She loved the sound it made on her window as the water panged against the glass. And she loved the fresh scent it omitted, supplying her lungs with a heavenly sweetness that replenished her every being. Rain was something she treasured long since she was a child, all the way up to her adulthood. It was truly intoxicating.

She pulled up a wicker chair nearby and placed it next to the entrance. During times like these, Raven enjoyed sitting back with a novel in one hand and her favorite herbal tea in the other. What a relaxing way to end such a hectic day, she mused, inhaling the scent of the rain outside as she settled comfortably in her chair. Just as Raven was about to open the book she was holding, a young girl came barging in, her cheeks flushed with a rosy pink and her ebony hair hanging loosely from its ponytail.

"Mama, Mama!" the child happily cried, "Daddy's here! I saw his car!" she rushed to her mother's side, beaming as if her happiness could chase away the dreary setting outside. Raven smiled, enveloping her four year-old daughter in a warm hug.

"Really? That soon?" asked Raven, who now stood up from her chair, holding the young girl. The child nodded excitedly, causing Raven to laugh at her liveliness. "Well, let's go see him then, hmm?"

"Mama, do you think Daddy bought my birthday present yet? Was that why he left?" wondered the small girl, her eyebrows knitted together, creating an adorable expression on her face. As they walked outside her bedroom and down the grand staircase, Raven combed through her daughter's hair with her fingers, trying to undo the tangles that had appeared during her mad dash to her mother's room. "I dunno Mae, but we'll wait and see this Saturday, ok honey?" Mae frowned at her mother's answer but immediately cheered up once she saw her father.

Squirming from her mother's arms, Mae jumped off and raced towards her father, who was busy shaking off the water from his trench coat, unaware of the young girl running in his direction. "Wait, Mae, don't-! "Raven called out but little Mae ignored her mother's warning, and collided with the man's legs, causing him to topple over and taking Mae down with him. With her husband and daughter sprawled on the floor, Raven couldn't help but laugh at the humorous but yet heartwarming sight displayed before her.

Mae, who was giggling at her fallen father, crawled up on his stomach and looked down unto his smiling face. The man chuckled, encasing his daughter with his strong arms and sitting himself up off the floor. "Hey there kiddo. Did you miss me?" teased the older man, already knowing the answer that was demonstrated by Mae's loving affection.

Mae only snuggled her face in the crook of her father's neck in response. The man stood up, still holding his daughter in his arms, hugging her tighter. He gently set her down.

Wanting just as much attention from her husband, Raven walked towards him from behind. Although he heard his wife's footsteps, Roger didn't even acknowledge her presence until she said, "Hey Roger. You're home early," and tried to greet him with a kiss on the lips. However, Roger diverted his face to the side before her lips could reach his and instead, planted a small kiss on her forehead.

"Hey. I would've gotten here earlier but I stopped by a coffee shop on the way home," replied Roger casually, not overly delighted to see his wife as he was for his daughter. "Oh," Raven responded. He couldn't even turn to face her and only focused on the girl who was tugging on his hand. A little hurt by this, Raven just let it slide and did not allow this simple gesture to bother her. She should be happy that he's home and happiness was what she showed him.

"Daddy," asked Mae, "Did you buy my present yet?" She looked up with hopeful and pleading eyes. Roger merely smiled. "Why yes I did sweetie but you'll have to wait for your party to see." He tousled his daughter's hair and walked past Raven to head upstairs.

Satisfied with his answer, Mae squealed a short 'yay!' and ran upstairs to her room, past her father. Upon hearing the word 'party,' Raven suddenly remembered that she needed to speak with her husband about this Saturday. She didn't approve of it as also being the same day that Roger was going to hold his business party.

I'll just ask him later, she thought

- - - - - - - - - -

It was night time, their room encased in a comforting darkness with the moonlight spilling its brilliance through their balcony doors. They had just finished their lovemaking and were silently holding each other's naked form. Roger was staring blankly at the ceiling while Raven was tracing circular patterns on her husband's chest.

Raven mutely sighed. These moments were rare between Raven and her husband, considering that Roger was often too tired to do anything after a hard day at work or simply was not in the mood. Tonight was the first time in months that Roger wanted to have sex, which surprised and yet excited Raven. Craving for that intimate touch for so long, she did not hesitate to submit to her husband's wishes. Now tiredly spent but still wide awake, they lied in silence, which unfortunately, Raven must break as she reminded herself to talk to Roger about Mae's birthday party.

Knowing that Roger was not asleep yet, Raven forced herself up from his arms, holding the blanket to cover her body. She didn't know why she was covering herself in front of her husband or why she was feeling nervous. Earlier, she was ashamed of her body even though Roger had already accepted her for who she was. But despite what he said, Raven was embarrassed with the fat that still loomed over her body since her childbirth with Mae. She's tried countless times to lose the pounds but her weight would not budge on the scale. Going nowhere with her weight, Raven gave up and told herself that beauty only comes from within and that was the only thing that mattered. But that still didn't stop her from covering herself. She shoved her ridiculous antics away in her mind and focused on what she was going to say to her husband.

"Roger? About Mae's party…can't you just reschedule your business party some other day? And spend it with me and your daughter?" asked Raven, pleadingly.

Roger in turn shook his head. "No," he didn't even look at her and continued to look at the ceiling. Raven tried again, "But Roger, this-" she didn't go very far with her protest as she watched her husband sit up and looked straight into her eyes, "I said no," making it final and trying to end this hopeless argument. This only angered Raven who also held his gaze, not wanting to give up. "What do you mean 'no?' Mae's party is-" interrupted once more by her husband, who heaved an exasperated sigh.

"Look Rae, I'm sorry it has to be like this but my party was planned a long time ago, even before Mae's birthday. It's only Thursday and you're already fussing over it. I thought I promised you that I would have my business party in the evening while Mae's party will be in the morning, " emphasizing the differences in the two parties in an attempt to convince his wife, "It's really important that I have this dinner party. Having it gives me the potential to rise in the business world. Now, can we let it drop and go to sleep?" But before he let her answer, Roger lied himself down and ignored whatever argument Raven was going to use against him.

Upset that she couldn't stand her ground and change the situation, she listened to her husband and let it drop. She was too tired and distressed to say anything anymore. Following Roger, she too lied down on the bed, still holding the blanket that covered her. As she faced her husband's back, she couldn't tell whether she was angry with herself for always appeasing to Roger or Roger for always being selfish.

He was known to do that to them. He hardly puts his family first and makes all these excuses that the reason he's constantly working is to support his family. "That's putting your family first Rae," he would say to her after informing her he has another business meeting to attend. And each and every time he said that, she never argued, letting him on his way. That's how much I love him I guess, concluded Raven.

No matter how underappreciated she felt, she would always love Roger Red.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Mrs. Red? Where do you want me to put the roses?" asked a timid servant girl, who was carrying two vases of the deep red-colored flowers. In the foyer, Raven was busying herself with arranging the softly blue Hydrangeas. She turned around from her handiwork and faced the servant. "Put one in the dining room table and take the other in the basement," ordered an expressionless Raven. The servant girl nodded and humbly obeyed.

It was Friday, the day before her daughter's birthday and her husband's business celebration. Remembering back to Roger's promise, Raven decided he was right and was now diligently working to decorating their mansion for both the occasions. With the help of their servants, she was placing numerous flowers around the house, some from the garden she owned in the back and others from the florist shop. Other servants were working to setting up tables and chairs throughout the first floor of the mansion, as well as outside on their private beach. As she worked silently with the next batch of flowers amidst the active atmosphere, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. Assuming it was another servant, Raven did not turn this time and said, "If there's no more room, put the rest in the basement for my daughter's party."

"Does that mean I get to be invited to Mae's little party?" asked a familiar teasing voice. Raven moved away from her flowers and looked back to the source of that voice. Her eyes lit up at whom she saw and very well recognized.

In front of her stood a beautiful, leggy woman around her age, whose golden locks were pulled nicely back in a low ponytail. The woman's lovely azure eyes were as clear as the sky in a bright summer's day and her flawless face radiated with glee like the rays of the sun as she broadly smiled at her high school friend.

"Terra Conners" Raven grinned, folding her arms across her chest and playfully tilting her head.

"Yup, that's me" Terra chuckled before pulling Raven in a friendly embrace, who in return hugged back. "Wow, you've changed," Raven said, studying the woman once more. No surprise Raven thought she was always this beautiful in high school, even more so now that she was a model. Yes, Terra, the gorgeous supermodel. Raven would have never guessed she would befriend a high fashion model.

"And you, my dear, still need to," laughed the blonde woman. It was meant as a joke but Raven grimaced at the truth behind her friend's remark. Sure, she wasn't as beautiful as Terra was and she knew that, but there was no need to point out the obvious difference between them. Nevertheless, Raven ignored it and replied sarcastically, "Thanks, I'll remember that when you ask me for something and I'll gladly object."

Terra laughed again, the soft feminine sound echoing in the spacious foyer. She was accustomed to other woman's sarcasm and dismissed it as nothing personal, unaware that her previous joke had touched a nerve. "So, I hear there are two things happening tomorrow," Terra began, "One that I can't go to because I have a fashion shoot in the evening, and the other I wasn't even invited to, which involves a four-year old turning the big five. C'mon Raven, I thought I was your friend."

Raven smirked, "You were… back in high school." Terra eyed her teasingly. Raven sighed, dropping her sarcasm and then turning back to her Hydrangeas. "It's nothing huge; it was just going to be me, Mae, her grandmother, and three of Mae's friends," Raven explained, "And its going to be in the basement so that the upstairs doesn't get messy. I had wanted it to be more but I didn't want it to interfere with Roger's function."

"That's a surprise," Terra raised her slender eyebrows in a questioning expression, "You guys have a load of cash that it's shocking to hear that Roger is spending more of it on this dinner party than on his daughter." Hearing this, Raven looked to the floor, ashamed of how true the Terra's words were. Sensing her friend's sadness, Terra gently picked up Raven's fallen hands with their own, causing the woman to look at her. "I'm sorry Rae. If it helps, I can go downstairs and help with decorating and if you'll let me, I'd be happy to join you in celebrating Mae's fifth birthday."

"Thank you," Raven wryly smiled. She took the vase full of the Hydrangeas she had been arranging and handed it to Terra, "You can start by taking these down there." Terra happily obliged, glad that she could help her old friend.

- - - - - - - - - -

"So….when did you say this party was and where at?" questioned the handsome man behind his office desk. He didn't look up to for an answer as he was busy studying the several pictures of an alleged suspect named Roger Red. This suspect was supposed to be a link to Slade, the man that the cops have been after for years. He too was obsessed with capturing Slade a while back when he was a cop but his obsession ended when he quit the job over a case he completely screwed over. Not only had he let Slade escape, but he had caused an innocent person to be killed. Richard called it quits before the police department could fire him.

His partner, Mr. Garfield Logan, who sat across from him, rubbed his chin in thought, trying to recall back to what he read from the file."It's this Saturday, tomorrow actually, and it's two parties: one for a little girl and the other you're assigned to attend. I can't remember the exact address of the house but the description said that it's right outside the city, a little close to the shoreline," answered Mr. Logan, hoping that was a good enough answer to make Richard raise his head. With one last look at this Roger guy, Richard finally looked up.

"And you want me, an ex-cop, to undertake this case?" Richard asked, stressing on the word ex-cop in an attempt to help his partner realize how unfit he was for the job. Garfield ignored his friend's complaint, replying, "No, the department wants you and me to work on this together. They know you gave this profession up over that lousy case a long time ago, but they are willing to give you another chance. That's why they gave that to me to present to you," Garfield pointed at the portfolio lying on Richard's desk, the same one that he had been previously flipping through and researching about Mr. Red.

Richard's appealing azure orbs suspiciously eyed his partner, whom he worked with for so long, then at the thin chestnut folder on his desk, and then back to Garfield's pleading eyes.

In his mind, he wasn't sure if he wanted to carry out this assignment but why shouldn't he? He wondered. He had nothing better to do, seeing that he is without a job and stayed mostly at home tending his ranch. This could be a great opportunity to earn some money. He frowned, but what more could I do with that money? I'm already well-off, extremely well-off.

He sighed, not having any other choice, Richard regarded Garfield and shrugged in defeat. "Sure, I'll do it." Garfield clapped his hands together and jumped merrily out of his chair, patting his buddy's shoulder.

"Aha! There's the old Dick I always knew," winked a grinning Garfield as he grabbed his coat off the nearby coat rack. After he had finished convincing Richard, which Garfield thought would take longer than he expected, it was finally time to hit the road since there would be no reason to stay anymore. But just as he was about to turn the knob of the door, Richard called out, "Don't call me Dick or else I'll drop the case."

Garfield waved his joke off with his hand and faced his back to him. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say Dick. I'll see ya tomorrow." And walked straight outside the door in a rush, before he could hear Richard shout, "Don't call me that!"

Richard shook his head, lightly chuckling at his partner in crime, "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," he mimicked quietly, more to himself than to the empty space that had earlier been occupied by Garfield Logan.

A/N: So there you have it, my very first chapter. If you haven't figured it out yet, Roger Red is Red-X and Slade is…well Slade. Don't worry; the rest of the Titans will appear later, if not in the next chapter. I know this chapter started out with Rae/Red but that was part of the plan. So don't panic because there will surely be some Rae/Rob romance in the upcoming chapters P. Anyways, You have no idea how long this took, since this is my first time doing this. Hopefully you liked it and you'll let me know what you think in your reviews, if you do decide to review that is (hopefully you will ) and I please ask that you don't write any flames but some helpful constructive criticism.

Till next time…