The Gift

By Misty Fortner

A Robin/Raven story

I don't own Teen Titans, just borrowing the characters.

Thanks to my first reviewer, alena-chen.

I'm glad you are liking it. Its an addiction writing it, I've got so much going in my mind for the story. I hope you continue to enjoy. Next update will probably be in about a week or so, gotta get out of the Raven/Robin world and focus on some other things.

Chapter 2: It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas; soon the bells will start

And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart."

Raven sat alone in her room. What had happened last night? Why did she kiss her best friend's boyfriend? Why had she not wanted to stop? These questions were plaguing Raven. She had tried meditation, but it hadn't worked.

Raven sighed as someone knocked on her door. She got up and walked to the door. "Hello Starfire," Raven said in monotone. She tried to stay in control. It would not due for her friend to realize that something had happened between her and Robin.

"Hello friend Raven, it is a glorious morning is it not. I wish for us to go out and hang and share talk of girls about the men in our lives."

Raven grew paler. This was not a discussion she wanted to have with Star this morning. "Not now, I was getting ready to go out by myself."

Starfire frowned.

"I still have to get you a present, and I can't have you with me" lied Raven.

At this Stars face perked up. "I understand. Perhaps we can share latter"

"Whatever just let me leave now?" Raven didn't mean to come across so mean. She just did not have the patience to deal with Starfire till she figured out what had happened with Robin.

Starfire walked down to the living area. Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Robin were all competing in a racing game. "Friends, I am worried about friend Raven. She seems even more depressed than normal. Perhaps one of you that understands the meaning of your holiday should take Raven on a cheer-up outing.

Robin sighed, his girlfriend didn't understand Raven. The two were so different. Raven would hurt anyone who took her on the proposed outing. "Star, Raven is herself. So Christmas isn't her thing. Let's not push the issue."

Cyborg smiled. He had an idea. "I agree with Star, though I nominate Beast Boy to take her on the outing."

The green toned boy shook his head, "No way. Not me. I think Robin should do it. He understands gothic girl the most.

Robin sighed, "Let's drop the issue."

"Whoever loses the next game has to take Raven on a Christmas date." Smiled Beast Boy

"You're on," responded Cyborg. Robin didn't even look up. He just concentrated on the game. He couldn't lose and have to spend hours alone with the dark haired beauty that haunted his dreams the previous night.

The race was on; each male teen titan was trying their best not to lose. Spending the evening with the gothic goddess scared them out of their minds.

Raven avoided the mall. She feared what she would do if she ran into that idiot Santa again. Especially with the turmoil her emotions were in. She walked along the downtown shopping area. It was so crowded, Raven could barely think. Raven finally arrived at her destination, Buried Treasures. Buried Treasures was a combination antique store and unique items shop. If she couldn't find Robin something special here, she had no idea where she would. But why did she care so much about Robin's gift. She bought everyone else the first thing she came up with so she could be done with this Christmas nonsense. If it wasn't for the fact that she new the team usually bought her Christmas gifts she wouldn't have even bothered.

Raven walked around the store. She picked up a gun like item and examined it. It was a marshmallow shooter. Beast Boy would get a kick out of this. She could give the cookbook to Star to wrap with his pans. Putting it in her basket she continued to shop. She looked at the other things her that would make her teammates laugh: the no tear toilet paper, the singing pillow, or the dashboard hula girl. These things were all funny but not what she was looking for. She moved to another part of the store. After looking at the various antique books, weapons, and other items Raven finally decided to buy Robin a tranquility fountain and a first printing signed copy of a detective book.

After paying for her stuff, she began her walk home. That's when she passed a coffee shop that a group of children inside singing Christmas Carols. She stood outside and watched them. She noticed the dark haired child from the mall last night. Seeing the child again intrigued Raven. Raven actually went to the counter and bought a cup of hot chocolate and a pastry, so she could sit and watch the show. She asked the counter girl, "So who are the kids. They are pretty cute."

"They are all orphans who will be in the orphanage for Christmas. Children's Services is asking families to adopt a child for the Christmas holiday."

Raven felt a twinge of emotion. That poor child was going to be without her mother and in an orphanage for Christmas. "How do I find out the requirements for signing up?"

The shopkeeper pointed to an older couple in the corner. "Those two are the people in charge. They can help you more."

Raven took her hot chocolate and pastry over to the table the pair was sitting at. "What are the requirements for bringing one of the little girls home for Christmas?" Raven asked.

The older woman smiled. "First we need a person of legal adult age to fill out this form. We do a background check on them and anyone living in the household. If everything checks out we allow you to pick up the child on the morning of December 23rd, and she stays with the family till the morning of December 26th. By the way, I'm Rose and this is my husband Jim. We are the main caretakers at the city orphanage."

"I am 17, but am emancipated and well the state is in full support of me and my friends. We are the teen titans. Would I be able to participate in the program?

The older couple thought for a moment. The Jim spoke out, "If you want to take a child for the weekend I don't see why not. The entire city knows of your situation and age. If the city government didn't trust the five of you to live alone, you would have a guardian. We would still have to do the background check as a formality."

Raven sat down and began filling out the form needed. She wrote in all the titans' real names and information. As writing, she glanced at the child called, Winter. There was something so familiar about the child, but she couldn't place it.

Rose looked over the form to check for completeness. "So your Raven Roth. Interesting we have a little girl with the last name Roth. Her name is Winter, and she is the dark haired girl in the second row, 3rd to the left."

Raven looked surprised. Could she be related to the child, after all she felt really drawn to the little girl. It was pointless to consider, Raven had no family. Well, Winter, is the little girl I would like to spend Christmas with. Are there any rules about Christmas presents and such?

Jim said, "We leave that up to the families. We do offer to provide a couple gifts if the family is unable to afford buying the child something."

"Don't worry about those; I'll go buy her some stuff. Is there anything particular she likes?" Raven asked before leaving.

"She's a very easy to get a long with child. She will like anything you give her. She loves stuffed animals that look real. She longs for a pet, but we aren't allowed to have them. She also enjoys reading; she's at an above level. Can already read chapter books, and she's only seven. Barbie dolls are not her thing, but she will play with the occasional baby doll."

Raven liked the sound of this child. Really reminded Raven of herself. She would take the gifts she bought home, wrap them and then go shopping for, Winter.

This year she was actually looking forward to Christmas.

Raven teleported to her room. She decided to finish wrapping the presents she had, before going downstairs. She paged Starfire, and asked the red haired girl to meet her in Star's room. She wanted to give Star the cookbook. Plus, she knew she could convince Star that having the little girl for the holiday was a good thing. She didn't know how the guys would take the information.

Going into the hallway, she saw Starfire. Raven handed her the cookbook. "Give this to BB with his pots. I found him another gift."

"That is glorious. You have picked out a special gift for our green friend"
"Star, calm down. I just ran across something a little more appropriate for BB. It's nothing special."

"Oh," Starfire frowned.

"I need your support on something. I have signed up to bring a little girl who is an orphan to the tower for Christmas. I need to do this Star, but I have a feeling the guys may not like it. Will you support me on this please?

"Of course, friend Raven. It sounds like the girl a glorious idea. We should buy the child some presents for under the tree of ornaments."

"Already on that idea, Star. I'm going shopping for her after I take these presents and put them under the tree."

"Also glorious, then Robin can help you shop for the child during your cheer up Christmas outing."

"My What?" Raven didn't like the sound of this.

"The boys played the station of games in a competition. Robin's ship came in last so he won the outing with you."

Raven frowned. She had been in a good mood, but it was gone now. They had gambled over her. No one had wanted to take her on Starfire's outing. It was just further proof of the fact that she would always be alone. Raven frowned, and of course Robin won. After last night, she would prefer anyone but Robin for this 'Christmas outing'. Raven debated inside. Part of her thought about refusing to go with Robin, yet the other part said go and maybe he'll kiss you again. Raven felt shocked. All of a sudden she realized what was happening with her, and it wasn't good

Raven knew she was falling in love with, Robin.