Disclaimer: Teen Titans…not mine…waaaaahhhhh!

This Chapter's Cast of Characters

Raven: Rachel Roth

Aqualad: Connor Selky

Chapter 6

No one could deny that it was hot in the Desert Rose that night.

Since it was the last weekend before the start of the Fall Semester, the Rose was packed. The Bar was busy keeping up with the demand for cool drinks. The bartenders amused the crowd with their pouring skills and jokes—all the while narrowly missing each other's bodies, glasses, and bottles with a grace that would do the Russian Ballet proud. Waiters and waitresses dodged dancers and each other while serving those lucky few who got to sit at the tables. The Floor was crammed with people—most of whom only wanted to deny the fact that next week would bring more than the changing leaves, it would bring the start of a new school year with it. The DJ instantly read the mood of the crowd—as most good DJs do—and played a never ending mix of bass heavy songs. The heavy thrumming of the beats were felt throughout the crowd and made them hungry for more. And finally, the Pit was a slightly cooler—though not by much—sanctuary for those who had their fill of dancing.

"I shouldn't have come here," Rachel murmured as she pushed her way past the Floor and into the Pit. After ordering a pot of Peppermint Tea at the coffee bar, she sat down in the same couch she and Richard had before.

Stupid Robin! she fumed to herself. She was furious at him for being furious at her. Didn't they agree that they would be friends? Starfire would be crushed if he didn't keep to their deal. And after the whole Puppet King battle, Raven was even more determined not to let a romance with Robin happen—ever.

So I kissed Taka, she thought. Big deal. I can't kiss who I want to kiss?

But what about Aqualad? Happy asked Raven inside her mind. You know you like him as more than a friend. He knows it. Robin knows it—he even encouraged it after the Trident case, remember?

I remember, Raven thought, glumly. She couldn't forget how hurt Aqualad had looked that afternoon. As if she had betrayed a trust between them. But what trust could they have? They had only known each other for a little over a month.

You kissed Taka and you've known him for barely more than two months, Sadness reminded her. And you only met him twice.

And how often have you seen Aqualad hanging around the Tower? Bravery asked her. He was there for almost a week tieing up the paperwork from that overgrown guppy. And you guys talked—a lot! And you enjoyed those talks.

You did…Happy and Sadness echoed.

Raven couldn't deny it. She felt strange around him—and Taka—and Robin. Robin was out of the question, no doubt about that. If only—

"Hey, sweetie," a voice interrupted her thoughts. "This seat taken?"

Rachel looked up at the young man and frowned. "Actually—"

"—it is," Connor answered, sitting down next to Rachel and placing her tea on the table.

He looked gorgeous. As he always did. Dark blue jeans covered his long legs and a plain black t-shirt covered his torso. His shoulder length hair was tied at the back of his neck with a piece of string—probably from an old teabag, which was a habit that Rachel found disgusting. Rachel gave him a cool smile and reached for her tea. "Is Richard here with you?" she asked, totally ignoring the guy who had tried to pick her up.

Rubbing the side of his head, Connor smiled sheepishly. "No, I'm alone," he admitted.

"Hmm…" Rachel hummed after pouring a cup for both of them. The coffee staff had thoughtfully added a second cup to her order. "Did he ask you to come after me?"

"I would be lying if I said no," he answered, taking the cups from her. Placing them back on the table, Connor grasped Rachel's hands and looked into her eyes. "I also would be lying if I said that we aren't worried. Richard told me—"

"I don't care what Richard told you," Rachel said in her usual monotone. She tried to pull her hands from his, but he refused to let go. She satisfied herself by looking at anything but Connor. "It's none of his business. Just as it's none of yours."

"Rachel," Connor said softly as he brushed her cheek with his hand. "Look at me. Please."

After all of their talks at the Tower, Rachel couldn't deny him anything when he said 'please.' Maybe it was because he said it so rarely…just as she did.

Looking into her lavender eyes, Connor continued. "Richard told me that you don't even know Takashi that well. You only met him once."

"Twice," she said.

Shaking his head, Connor smiled sadly at her. "Today at the mall doesn't count." Staring at her small hands, he rubbed the sides of the black gauntlets she wore. "You kissed him," he whispered.

Leaning closer to him, Rachel watched as Connor traced the red stitching on her gauntlets. Sighing, she leaned her forehead against his. "Yes, I did," she answered.

Connor had reached the end of her gauntlets and contented himself with rubbing his thumbs against the inside of her elbows. "W-was he your first kiss?" he stuttered.

Closing her eyes against the pain in his voice and the pleasure of his touch, Rachel nodded—and felt her chakra lightly scrape against his forehead. He didn't complain.

Letting loose a sigh of his own, Connor cupped her face with both hands and waited until she opened her eyes. "Did you want him to be?" he asked.

"He's safe," Rachel said.

"That's not an answer," he whispered fiercely.

They didn't notice the stares they were getting or the fact that people were suddenly in a rush to leave the Pit. The intense concentration they had on each other caused an almost visible barrier to form around them. The message was clear: "Leave us alone."

Grabbing his wrists, Rachel looked into his eyes and remembered the last time they talked. He had made her laugh. "It's my answer," she murmured.

You don't want me, Raven thought to herself. I'm too complicated.

I happen to like complicated, Aqualad said to her telepathically—reading her mind.

"You don't need safe," Connor said out loud.

Rachel stiffened his his arms. Their bodies were so close now, she was practically in his lap. "Don't tell me what I need,"

"I don't want to...let me…Raven…" he trailed off.

Even though she knew it was coming, she didn't stop it. And Connor took that as permission.

The kiss was even better than her first. Where the first was filled with the slight panic of discovery, this one was filled with the joy of exploration.

Connor's lips were smooth and gentle. A feeling of warmth enveloped her and she knew she wouldn't loose control with him. It was hard to let her Anger take control of her when he whispered soothingly in her mind. He was tender and sweet and everything she wanted her first kiss to be.

But it's not my first kiss.

Pulling back, Rachel stared at Connor in shock. "I—you—we—"

"It's okay, Rachel," Connor said as he picked up their cold tea. "We can take it slow. I enjoy talking to you—you know that, right?"

"I know," she smiled shyly at him.

They sat back and enjoyed their tea. Content with themselves and each other.

A/N: I totally have more written, but it felt right to end things there. Ending two chapters in a row with a kiss…hmmm, I hope this doesn't become a trend.

Thanks to everyone to reviewed btw it's been a pleasure reading them!