I don't own any of the characters in the story or much of anything in real life. So if anyone wants to sue me for using the characters, feel free. You'll end up with about 40 cents and a stale cheese puff that's been in the couch for over a year.

Chapter 2

Aqualad swam over to the infant in the flotation device and pushed him toward Melvin. Teether squealed with delight. Raven looked on, sitting next to the big pile of fluff that appeared to be Melvin's constant companion. She enjoyed the time she had with the kids - her kids as she liked to refer to them as. Raven was the closest thing to a family the children ever knew and they provided her with a type of love she never knew existed. "Be careful!" She yelled with a smile cracking on her face.

As if on queue, Teether took a chunk out of the inner tube and plunged into the water. Aqualad shot over to the water logged boy, swooped him up and waved to the hooded figure on shore. She knew they were safe in his hands but a motherly fear lurked in the back of her mind.

A shadow cast over Raven. "What did I tell you about sneaking up on me like that." She smirked as her head turned.

"Boo." Wally laughed and took a seat on the rock next to her.

"He's really good with them." Raven said quietly as her eyes remained fixed on the splashing water.

A twinge of jealousy rushed through his heart. "Yeah. I guess so." He let out an audible breath and couldn't help but glare at the handsome raven haired man in the water. "So why aren't you out there?"

"I never liked to swim."

"So what do you like to do?" He tried to divert her attention from her current focus.

Raven had to think about that. After her last birthday, she no longer had to worry about her own early mortality but thanks to the Brotherhood of Evil, she didn't have a chance to really think about what she wanted to do. She could only think of one response, "I really don't know." Her voice was barely audible.

Moments passed as both continued to watch the waves splash and listen to the joyful yells resonating to the shore. He slowly moved his hand toward hers. 'It's now or never,' he thought to justify his action.

"Where's Jinx?" Raven said sensing his movement. 'Why are you doing this?' The voice rang out in her head. 'Because you can't afford to let him get close.'

Taken back by her question and knowing full well where it was coming from he froze. "She and Bumblebee are planning a full out raid on Hive Accadamy." He smirked, "Why?"

Raven pulled her hood up. "It's just hard to keep track of people here."

What would be a clear sign to most people to back off, evoked a smirk. Perhaps he was being hopeful or just plain impulsive... probably both. With one swift movement, he removed her hood and with his hand on the back of her head, leaned in to place his lips on hers.

Raven's eyes went wide. 'This is nice.' Momentarily closing her eyes, sanity kicked in. Maneuvering her arms between the two, she gently pushed away and stood up. She pulled the hood over her head and flew as fast as she could back to the tower.

Not oblivious to the events was Bobby, who now glared menacingly at Wally. As he repeated 'stupid' to himself while smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand, Bobby grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him into the water.

"Bobby doesn't like you." Melvin said with a look on her face that resembled Raven's deadpan glare.

"So I've noticed," he said with an awkward smile. Returning his gaze toward the tower, he contemplated his next move. Giving up wasn't in his genetics.

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"BOOYA! YO, BB! CATCH!"

Thankfully his lightning quick reflexes allowed him to avoid the mass of what smelled like old sweat socks flying down the hall.

"Hey, KF. See that! You wanna play?" Beast boy grinned holding the stankball.

"MMMMM...KFC. Good idea, BB. I'll grab the menu."

"Cyborg!" Beast Boy whined. "How many times do I have to tell you I'm a VEGITARIAN!"

Raven turned the corner - her nose in a book. Through the corner of her eye she saw him but continued to walk. Discussing the kiss was the last thing she wanted to do.

"Hey." Wally said walking by her side looking for some sort of indication.

"Hey." Her eyes never left the pages in front of here as she read the same sentence for the 5th time.

"So..." 'How was the kiss?' 'Do you want to do it again?' 'What's your favorite colour?' 'How much do you hate me right now?' So many questions unsaid.

"So." Raven's monotone voice rang out. She paused and looked into his eyes. "I don't hate you."

Kid Flash was shocked - wondering if he had said that out loud. Raven continued to look at him. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Outside." Raven paused. "Why did you kiss me? You don't know me." For some reason she found it hard to control her emotions around Wally.

"I want to get to know you," his voice was equally forceful. "And I was hoping you would want to get to know me."

"Isn't that supposed to happen BEFORE you kiss someone?" It was escalating into a full fledged shouting match.

"Maybe."

"Then why did you..."

"Because I like you. I really like you. So I kissed you." He paused - his voice lowered. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

With that, he was gone.

Raven let out a deep sigh. 'What are you so afraid of?' she asked herself.