A/N: Ok, I know that some of you are wondering why I made Raven appear fat in this story. She's not that huge but neither is she that skinny. But Raven is kinda chunky overweight, if that helps at all. Just be patient with me and you'll understand why I did what I did. So here's the second part of chapter II. Have fun P

The Ugly Duckling

By Sherabaroo

Marjorie's fifth birthday party went out nicely, despite the small number of people who celebrated it with her. It was short but yet very pleasant. Mae didn't mind that her grandmother had not come, still happy with how things ended up. She was a simple girl, who was glad that at least she was surrounded by people she loved. Along with her Victorian doll-house, Mae received a light green sundress from Terra, and a beautiful porcelain doll from her mother, which she was overjoyed with; as well as chocolate, a teddy bear, and a new tea set from her friends.

It was now getting late, as morning turned into evening, and numerous cars, even limousines, were pulling into their driveway. Raven watched from her window as guests, who were stylishly dressed for the occasion, got out of their vehicles and made their way to the front doors.

Raven had decided that she would not partake in the celebration, suggesting that she would take care of Mae instead. Well, actually, her husband suggested the idea, remembering what he had said to her earlier,

"Mae's way too young for this party and I think it's best if you stay upstairs to watch over her. The servants won't be able to do it because they'll be too busy tending to the guests. Please do it for me Rae, it would help a lot. Thanks babe, I knew I could count on you."

She had agreed to do it not only because Roger asked her to, but she hated dressing up to events like these. She never felt comfortable in any of the gowns she owned, let alone fit in any of them, due to her weight. She didn't want to embarrass her husband in front of his guests if they saw how horrible she looked. Plus, Raven would rather spend time with her daughter than act as human wallpaper during the party.

Tonight, as another birthday present, she promised Mae a small candlelight dinner on their open balcony, just between them two girls. She even promised to let her daughter try a drink of wine, which she knew a mother should not permit. But, for the sake of her daughter's enjoyment, Raven would allow it this time.

Now sitting on her bed, she watched as Roger examined himself in their mirror. This caused Raven to blush furiously, drinking in the sight of her husband. With his hair slicked back, he wore a black tailored tuxedo that hugged his muscular build very nicely. Slowly roaming her eyes over his body, Raven admired his strong chiseled features and was enchanted by his alluring hazel eyes. If her husband wasn't paying so much attention at his reflection, he would've noticed Raven gawking at him. He was clearly very handsome.

It amazed Raven at how she had ended up marrying such an attractive man. He could've chosen any beautiful woman he wanted but instead, chose Raven. Plain, ordinary Raven. Sighing, she thought he's really something.

Roger took one last look at the mirror and turned around to face his wife. "What do you think?" he asked. Breaking from her thoughts, Raven viewed her husband up and down, her heart pounding. "You look-" she stammered, but not allowing her to continue, Roger kissed her cheek and quickly said, "Just stay up here and take care of Mae. I'll see ya later." And walked out.

"-great," Raven finished, but her husband was already out the door.

Oh well, at least I got a kiss without initiating it. She smiled, placing a hand on the spot where Roger had kissed her. Before dwelling too much on it, she heard a knock on the door. Knowing it was Mae, Raven jumped off her bed, switched off the lights and opened the doors. She looked down and saw her daughter dressed in pajamas, with the new tea set she got for her birthday sitting beside her.

"Can we play now Mama?" the little girl asked, giving her mother the most adorable puppy-dog eyes. Raven laughed, widening the door for her daughter to enter.

"Sure honey." Mae squealed in delight, gathered her toys and rushed inside the room. She immediately spotted the candles on the table that Raven had set up outside the balcony. Quickly, she placed her tea set on the table, careful as to not knock down the burning-lit sticks. She then pulled the wicker chair near the balcony doors, up beside the table and hopped unto her seat. The haste array of her daughter the moment she had entered the room, suddenly made Raven feel excited to participate in this innocent little child's play.

Closing her bedroom door, Raven walked to where her daughter was waiting anxiously in her chair, and took a seat. Once settled, little Mae chirped, "Mama, can I taste the wine now, please?" the young girl begged. The crescent moon that hovered above washed its light over them, illuminating Mae's puppy dog-eyes.

Raven had thought about it and decided not to give it to her, even if it was her birthday. It was best if she let Mae try it when she's older. But…those eyes. Mae's pleading eyes were playfully tormenting Raven. Giving up, Raven chuckled, "Alright sweetie, I'll get the wine. I need to get food for our dinner anyways." Mae cheered, throwing her small hands in the air.

Raven gleamed, No one can resist those puppy-dog eyes.

- - - - - - - - - -

Richard hated functions, absolutely despised them. He hated dressing up for them, hated the phony conversations between people, and he hated the food that were open to everyone's fingers. But unfortunately for him, he stood amidst the fiasco for Roger Red, hating it even more.

He scowled. He knew it was part of the assignment. He knew fully-well that the hit men would take advantage of this event to track down their victim. And he knew that they, if not one, were disguised among the many guests. But he did not know that Garfield Logan, his supposed-to-be partner in crime, would back out on him…

"I'm sorry man, but…I had plans this weekend and I totally forgot them. I know it's stupid…but I really can't go," Garfield begged on the phone, "It's not that bad, you'll do fine without me. Hey, why don't you bring that one girl, what's her name…? Kori! Yeah, that's her. She's really cute, you know you want to bring her- " but Richard had hung up before he could finish.

He was furious with him, but had no other alternatives except to attend this damn party. Luckily for him, Richard took Garfield's suggestion and brought Kori Anders, a new secretary from the department, as his date. But she also proved to be too sour for his tastes.

For the umpteenth time since they arrived, Kori annoyingly asked, "Do I not look pretty tonight, dear Richard?" And for the umpteenth time, he murmured, "Yes, you do," without having to look at her. He sighed. He didn't know why she kept asking him. She didn't need to. In fact, Kori Anders was more than pretty, tonight, she was stunning. She donned on a long pink chiffon gown that showcased her amazingly slender figure. Her auburn hair was swept up with numerous pins, keeping it neatly in place. She allowed a few delicate curls to escape its hold as it hung gracefully, framing her beautifully touched up face. Richard noticed that his date was capturing the attention of many of the male guests in the room.

"And you," Kori poked his arm, "look very handsome as well." He couldn't disagree with her on that. Despite his unwillingness for fancy attires, he did, however, dress the part. Decked out in a fitted tuxedo that did little to cover his athletic-built body, he looked like a Greek God with his slick black hair and intense blue eyes. He had a strong prominent nose and well-proportioned lips, that looked very tempting to a group of women across the room, who sneaked several glances in his direction. Although this achieved to boost his ego a little bit, Richard was having enough of his surroundings.

Kori, the assignment, the damn hit men, the crowd, the whole stupid celebration, and not to mention his damn suffocating suit….it was all getting to his head. He felt the pang of a migraine coming on and he needed out…fast.

His eyes frantically searched around the room for an escape, anything to save him from himself. He finally found it in the form of a pudgy woman with long rich violet hair. Violet hair? He thought who the hell has violet hair?

She was struggling with a tray full of snacks and two glasses of wine as she tried to maneuver her way around various guests. She seemed very out of place, wearing only jeans and a loose shirt among the array of designer clothes. Richard watched as the woman smiled in vain to the talkative people, desperately trying to get through. This was his chance. Glancing over, he saw that Kori was too busy chatting away about the details of her dress. Richard shook his arm from her clutches, shaking it back to life, and moved towards the woman. Kori hardly noticed he was gone.

"Need help?"

Once he had cut through the throngs of people, he stood a few feet away from his source of freedom. Richard spoke and the woman looked up. Richard hitched a breath. From behind, the woman did not appear to be all that attractive. But up front, where Robin was now facing her, he was slightly taken aback.

She had the strangest colored eyes he's ever seen. He didn't think it was possible for someone to be born with such an eye color. Maybe they're contacts, he thought, gazing into the woman's deep amethyst eyes. They reminded him of the raging waves during a sea storm and how the vast skies would look before nightfall. They were utterly captivating, keeping him in his spot. He coughed, finding his voice.

"Do you need any help?"

Raven was also surprised by the person in front of her. The man, who stood a few inches taller than her 5'6" height, was strikingly handsome as he offered a hand with the food.

She blushed, realizing she was gaping and not answering his question. Mentally shaking her head back to reality, Raven opened her mouth.

"Oh, it's alright, I can take care of it." She tried to move aside, dodging him.

"No really, I can help," Richard took the wineglasses from the tray, flashing a smile. This made Raven blush even more. "Were you going upstairs?" he asked her, walking to the steps. Raven wanted to protest, to refuse his kind offer and send him on his way, but

seeing that he was already halfway up the stairs, she didn't bother to voice out her objection.

Carrying her tray, Raven followed after him. She met him at the top. "Ok, it's this way then," said Raven, leading him to a double-door room down the hall. Raven opened it but Richard couldn't see anything inside the darkened room, until a young girl came running up to them. "Mama!" she piped. The girl halted when she noticed Richard.

"Hey sweetie, I brought our dinner," Raven showed her daughter the tray, but the little girl was staring intently at the man beside her. Raven saw this and said, "Umm, Mae…I'd like you to meet-"

"-Richard Grayson," Richard finished. He grinned at the young girl, bowing his head slightly, "I heard there was a party up here so I wanted to check it out." He winked at her, causing Mae to break into a huge smile. She giggled at this silly man.

Richard faced Raven. "And may I ask who you are? Now that you know who I am." He held out his hand to the woman.

Staring at the hand, then at Richard's smiling face, Raven hesitantly placed hers in his masculine hand." I'm Raven…Raven Red." She said. Richard smirked, shaking her hand firmly. Raven couldn't help enjoy the warmth that she felt from holding his hand.

Raven Red…Richard recognized that name somewhere. His eyebrows furrowed. "If you don't mind me asking…do you happen to be…the wife of Roger Red?" he asked incredulously.

She nodded, "Yes, Roger Red is my husband. He's the one hosting this party."

This woman…is the wife of a rising businessman? Richard thought, unconvinced. She hardly looks like she belongs in a place like this. He pushed his criticizing thoughts aside, berating himself for being so shallow

"Mama, is he eating with us too?" Mae chimed in, her eyes brightening, "I really want him to eat with us."

Raven bit her lip. She was hoping to have this dinner party with just her daughter and no one else. She wasn't so comfortable allowing this stranger, which she had only met a few minutes ago, eating with them. Raven shook her head, "I'm sorry baby but…Mr. Grayson only helped mommy to bring up the food. He has to go back downstairs with the other guests. "

Mae's face was crestfallen but not so much as Richard's, who had wanted desperately to get away from the crowd. He put on a fake pouting expression, "C'mon, I don't mind staying here,"

Raven inwardly smiled, amused by the man's childish features. Yup, definitely a ladies man, she thought. "I'm sorry Mr. Grayson but I would like to spend this time with my daughter. I thank you for helping me though." She had moved her way inside the room, placing the tray on the table outside the balcony. She came back to pluck the wine glassed away from his hands.

Not wanting to argue, Richard sighed, "Alright then. I'm glad I could help Mrs. Red," turning towards the direction of the stairs. He then stopped and looked back at Mae, bowing again, but a little lower this time. "It was nice meeting you little miss." He winked a second time as a giggling Mae curtseyed back.

He's quite a charming one Raven thought, chuckling after the retreating man.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Ready babygirl?" After Richard had left, Raven sat herself down on her wicker chair, prepared to enjoy a relaxing meal with her daughter.

"Yes mama. I'm really hungry," but as the little girl reached out to pick a treat from the tray, she stopped her arm. Remembering something, she asked, "Mama, may Desiree eat with us?"

Desiree was the name of the porcelain china doll that Raven had given her. Glad that her daughter loved the gift, Raven nodded her head. "Yes she may sweetie. But hurry up because I'm hungry too. I don't want to eat without you." Mae jumped from her chair and quickly ran out the door to get her precious doll.

As Raven reached over to the tray to sneak a piece of cookie, she saw something flash at the corner of her eye. Assuming it was Mae, Raven called out, "C'mon Mae, the cookies smell delicious. Better hurry up before I eat them all," she laughed. But upon hearing no reply, she stood up, venturing inside the darkness of her room. "Mae? Honey, are you there? Mae-"

A gloved hand suddenly appeared and grabbed for her mouth. It clamped against her face, crushing her lips. Completely thrown off guard, Raven lost her voice, paralyzed by fear. When she found it, Raven tried to scream but the sound came out muffled against the hand.

She clawed at her attacker, clearly distinguished it was a man, by the strong painful grip on her mouth and his low ragged breaths. She pulled desperately at the arms that were strangling her form, but the man was smashing her into various furniture in the pitch black room. Raven tried flinging her arms out, quickly groping for something, anything that she could get her hands on in the darkness. But another hand shot up from behind, grabbing her arms and painfully jerking them back. She whimpered, tears erupting from her eyes as she was being suffocated and whirled around by his massive arms. She tried recklessly to bite the hand away, only to be hammered into the wall by the person who was strongly seizing her.

She howled in pain, her head throbbing from the impact. Liquid dripped from her forehead, stinging her eyes. Still having his bone-crushing grip on her, the man released his hand from around her mouth to hastily pull something from his pocket. It flickered in the moonlight. Even through her blurry vision, Raven quickly recognized the weapon. Oh God. Her throat seized up.

However, before her attacker could plunge the dagger inside of her, he was roughly interrupted by the small kicks and punches of a young child.

"Stop! You're hurting mama! Let her GO!" shouted Mae. The fragile girl could not find her china doll and had come back to ask her mother its whereabouts. But as she swiftly came in, she found someone else in the room, someone who was causing pain to her mother.

Mae shot towards the man, trying to pull him away. She pounded on the man's legs with her tiny fists and was furiously scratching his arms. NO MAE! Raven screamed in her head, her heart pumping loudly against her chest. "Marjorie, leave!" Raven choked out, "Get away from here!" Leave Mae, please leave! Run away! Her mind was swirling out of control. Ihave to get away, I need to get away.

Conjuring up the strength that was still left within her, Raven forcefully moved her body and the man's body towards the balcony, as far away from her daughter. But Mae rushed to her mother, fighting to rescue her, unaware that Raven was trying to save her as well

"GO Mae! Run!" begged Raven, as she shouted for her to leave. But Mae continued to struggle with the attacker, until the dagger that he clutched in his hand swiped down upon the little girl. A loud thud resounded in Raven's ears. Oh GOD.

And there was no longer any struggling.

No, no, no…this can't be happening. Raven threw her head back and screamed. NO! The tears burned against her skin. She thrashed about, violently twisting her body from the man's excruitating grip. Mae!

This only angered him more. He slashed his weapon deep across her cheek, shoving her numb body over the balcony edge.

No...Oh God... Mae... was Raven's last thought before her body crashed into the rocky surface.

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