A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: Hope everyone's enjoying the story!

Chapter Four: Openings

Raven turned on her heels and stormed away from the elfin Titan. He didn't need to vocalize his laughter; she felt it painfully. Although a rueful grin did cross the young witch's face as she heard Star snarl, "Skulking Klorbag!" through her bedroom door. But that joy was fleeting, and Raven sighed deeply. She argued with herself about whether or not she overreacted to Star's Tamaranian poems. The alien girl did come to her for help, and the only Tamaranian poetry she'd been exposed to were the shrill songs of joy that Star sang, and the moody poems of the willowy girl's equally willowy, equally beautiful, but evil older sister, Blackfire.

The pale girl walked back to her room, not paying any attention as she walked. If she had, she would see the bright red vest she ran straight into. She fell back and landed sorely on her rear.

"Oh, Robin, I am so sorry!" Raven said, her cheeks flushing.

"Don't worry about it," Robin said with a shrug and helping his friend up. "I should apologize for knocking you down."

"Okay, apology accepted."

Robin smiled that little half smile of his. Raven took a deep breath and forced herself not to sigh.

"So," Robin said running his hand through his spiky black hair realizing an awkward moment just happened, "you heading up for movie night? I thought we'd break up the standard brain candy fare and check out this French film I rented."

Raven glanced away from Robin for a moment, "I… I don't think so. I'm not up for movies tonight."

"Is something the matter?" Robin asked, taking her hands lightly in his.

Raven's mind skipped. She glanced down at her pale, soft hands in the deep supple green leather of Robin's gloves. His aura was so warm now, so peaceful, like a summer's afternoon. The warmth traveled from his hands to hers, up her arms and slowly drove away the chill from her self-doubt.

"Rae?" he said softly, as if from a dream.

Raven blinked and refocused on reality.

"It's Gar. He's just acting like the kid brother I never wanted again."

Robin laughed softly. The pale witch looked up but only saw the concealing whites of his ever present mask instead of his eyes. She prayed that he didn't see through her half-truth.

"Okay," Robin said softly, squeezed her hands, and let them go. He patted her on the shoulder, reassuringly, and smiled at her again.

Raven didn't need to force a smile, and let out a dreamy sigh as the Titans' Leader walked away. She took three steps before the alarm blared out. Warning lights pulsed red around her, and her broach buzzed and flashed out its warning.

"Looks like movie night is gonna have to wait," Robin said as he and Star dashed by.