Disclaimer: Do not own Teen Titans or the songs of Utada…the most expensive thing I own is my laptop…I hate being a poor college student…

This Chapter's Cast of Characters

Raven: Rachel Roth

Aqualad: Connor Selky

Robin: Richard Grayson

Takashi Genrou

The song playing in the Desert Rose is called "Workout" by Utada Hikaru

Chapter 7

"So…" Connor drawled, determined to take that scared/shy look out of her eyes. "What do your gauntlets say?"

"What makes you think that they say anything?" she asked, knowing what he was up to and greatful that he cared enough about her to try. "They could be just pretty decorations."

"The Rachel I know doesn't go for 'pretty decorations.' And I've seen enough examples of ancient alphabets to know that the designs on your armwear have to mean something."

"You're going to bug me until I tell you, aren't you?" she laughed, taking a sip of her tea.

Smiling smugly, Connor laughed back. "I won't have to bug you for long. If you don't tell me before we get back to your place, I'll tell Victor about that kiss in the mall."

Rachel coughed on her hand. "Victor doesn't know about that? I thought Kori told him and Garfield as soon as we got back."

"Nope. Richard got to her and explained how you might be embarrassed if they knew," Connor leaned in and whispered behind his hand. "Victor would kill any guy who got too close to you and Garfeild probably would be hurt."

"I understand Vic wanting to kill someone, but Gar feeling hurt?" Rachel shook her head. "I don't think so."

"And here I thought you were observant," Connor sighed. "Our resident comic has a small infatuation with you."

"If you know about it, then why are you courting me, Connor?" Rachel asked.

"Courting is such an old fashioned word, Rachel, but it suits you," Connor replied, topping off their drinks. "About Gar, I care for you too much to just leave things alone because of him. Anyway, it's just a small crush. He'll get over you."

"I'm that easy to get over?"

"No. But he already thinks of you as more of a slightly scary older sister than a girlfriend. And great job getting me off topic," Connor observed.

Trying to look innocent, and for the most part failing, Rachel smiled at Connor. "What?"

"What do your gauntlets say? Or I tell Vic about the kiss," he threatened.

"I could tell him about the kiss you gave me," Rachel mused. "Then it will be you he kills."

"You wouldn't do that," he said confidently. "You love me too much."

The word 'love' threw Rachel off for a second. She didn't know if that was what she was feeling, but she would not rule out the possibility.

"In your hands lie the power to create or destroy worlds.

In your heart is the power to know which path to choose.

Choose wisely, my daughter, for your choice will either

Grant you peace or keep you eternally from acheiveing it. "

"That's what they say?" he asked, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Yes," she answered. "They were a gift from my mother."

"Well, that's…um…very you. Deep and meditative, I mean," he said, searching for a way to change the subject. That moment, the DJ started up a new set of songs. "Why don't we dance? The music's pretty good right now. They're playing J-pop."

"I don't know how to dance, Connor," Rachel said, biting her lower lip.

Pulling her to her feet, Connor smiled and dragged her to the dance floor. "It's easy!" he shouted. "Just follow my lead!"

At first, Rachel was stiff and awkward. She felt self-conscious and horribly gawky next to Connor's smooth movements and confident smile. Connor seemed to understand her problem and placed his hands on her hips. "Move with me," he whispered in her ear. "Let yourself feel the music."

Placing her hands on his waist, Rachel moved with Connor. Closing her eyes made it easier for her to imagine that no one in the club was watching them dance. Or more specifically, no one was watching how much she sucked at dancing. As one song mixed with another, Rachel felt more and more of her stiffness leave her. She started to move her hips more and soon no longer needed Connor to lead her. The music had her now and she didn't want to stop.

I was dancing with a dirty blond Texan

Charming accent but the music's playing too loud

For talking

So I showed him

How people in the Far East get down

Letting her emotions move her body, Rachel turned in Connor's arms so that her back was to his front. Moving sensually with the pounding beat, she raised her arms and curled one around Connor's neck. She could feel one of his hands on her hip and felt him move her head with the other one. Connor slowly angled her head and exposed her pale neck.

When he kissed her right below the ear, Rachel shivered and smiled.

Push it up, push it down

Pull it up, pull it down

Keep it up, keep it down

Now put me down

...what a workout!

If you want,

You can come

Come get it, get it

If you don't

You may really

Regret it, 'gret it

Up and down 'til

Your knees start

Shakin' shakin'

Ain't it good to be alive

Tonight?

Rachel opened her eyes a bit and looked across the dance floor. People were dancing and having a good time. No one was paying attention to her and Connor. She smiled as she realized that her emotions were behaving themselves…mostly. Lust and Love seemed to be having a blast. She never realized that dancing could calm her as fast as meditating. Swiveling her hips, she closed her eyes again. But not before she saw the glowing gaze of Takashi Genrou staring right at her.

1 life

2 time

3 girls

4 guys

5 ripples running up and down my spine

6.0 Make it sweet, drop another dime.