A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter Seventeen: Midnight Swims

Raven handed back the phone to Jinx. Her face was completely emotionless, and she rolled back to her side and pulled her covers over her head.

"So, I take it it's a 'No' then," Jinx said.

"Oh, come on, Raven," Bee pleaded. "I mean how many guys actually talk to you much less hit on you? You could use the flirting practice, and there's no bigger flirt in the entire universe than Roy Harper."

"That makes it sound sooooo much better," Raven said from under her blanket. She pushed her blanket back down and sat up. Her violet eyes narrowed with frustration, "Look, the only reason he even wants to see me in the first place is because each one of you shot him down tonight. Tonight! What planet does he think I'm from? Even Starfire can see through his act!"

"And?" Jinx and Bumble Bee asked together.

"He's as about as interested in me as he is in Beast Boy."

"And?"

"What do you mean, 'And?'" Raven said slightly confused. "What else is there?"

Bee glanced to Jinx and then said, "Girl, we're not saying go out with him or anything like that. Just talk. You do talk, right?"

"Yeah, just because he's a lech doesn't automatically make him a bad guy," Jinx added.

"Does that mean you're going to be with Wally?" Bee queried.

A wily grin spread across the lavender-eyed sorceress' face. "I'm not sure I like the phrasing of that question, Bumble Bee."

Bee grinned innocently, "Why, Jinx, what ever do you mean?"

Raven rolled her eyes and stood. She flattened out her indigo nightgown and pulled her matching robe over her bare shoulders. "Well, it's obvious that none of you are going to let me sleep until I at least take my turn at rejecting Speedy, too. Jinx, I'll meet you downstairs."

Bee shrugged at Jinx. The pale girl smiled and slipped into a pair of flannel sleep-pants before slipping out the door. Raven slowly glided down the hall silent and pale as a ghost. Jinx smoothed her hair as she padded up to her ashen-skinned friend.

"Preening?" Raven asked without turning around.

Jinx suddenly looked at her hands and folded them behind her. She scowled and slumped her shoulders.

"Hold on," Raven said. Her eyes glowed white and she surrounded them with her dark energy. Jinx reopened her eyes, felt the cool bay breeze, and heard the lapping of waves against the shore. They were outside the tower.

"Jinx!"

The pink haired girl turned and saw the gold and scarlet colors of Kid Flash before her. He smiled softly and pulled back his cowl. Wally West was slightly freckled, handsome, and had smiling blue eyes. He stood just out of arms reach and grinned bashfully.

"I," he said shakily, "I've never seen you out of costume or with your hair down. You look great."

"Thank…" Jinx started, but Wally held up a finger and slapped his forehead.

"Berightback!"

Before she could process his departure, Kid Flash returned with a bouquet of orchids. Jinx held the pale white flowers in her hand and scented the soft vanilla aroma.

"Wally, it's two-thirty in the morning, where did you…?"

Kid Flash slid his foot along the ground in a small circle, "Well, it's eleven in London…"

Jinx wrapped her arms about the red headed hero and rested her head on the lightning bolt adorning the center of his chest. "Thanks, Wally."

…..

Raven crossed her arms, touching her opposite shoulders, and warded off the bay breeze's chill. The young witch hovered inches above the ground while she watched the lights of the city. She caught the scent of warm spice as she felt a pair of strong hands on her shoulders, wrapping her in a fleece blanket.

"You looked cold."

"Hello, Harper."

"Brrr. Did the temperature just drop about fifty degrees, or was that just me?"

Raven looked over her shoulder. "That was sooooo funny, I hope you know that."

Roy Harper was tall, lean, and rakishly handsome. Even Raven had to concede that, but his biggest problem was he knew it. Speedy rocked back on his heels and crossed his arms. He arched an eyebrow and looked Raven over from head to toe. "Hmmm," he hummed loudly.

Raven arched one of her delicate eyebrows, "What?"

"I can't imagine why a beautiful girl, like you, never smiles."

"Maybe it's because I have to suffer through idiots like you."

Speedy took a step back and dramatically covered his heart, "Ouch! That hurt!"

Raven rolled her eyes upward and floated back toward the Tower. "I should not have come out here," she said under her breath.

"Raven wait," Speedy said with surprising tenderness.

Raven stopped, and felt his rough fingers entwine with hers. Speedy turned her to him and cupped her jaw with his other hand. Before the pale witch could protest, Speedy leaned in and kissed her. His hand drifted through her dark hair, and her senses filled with the touch of his lips, his spicy scent, and she felt his lusty warmth wash over her. Raven closed her violet eyes slowly. Her heart suddenly raced and skipped several times as Roy's hand left hers and then drew small circles on the small of her back.

She let out a reflexive coo as Roy's lips lingered on hers. Her synapses were going off like fireworks. Oh gods, he's a great kisser, echoed in her mind. Her mouth opened with his and she breathed in his cinnamon breath, and she felt his hand slide lightly down her spine. His hand continued to slide down her back, lower and lower.

Raven's eyes shot open as she felt his hands cup her rear.

Instantly a black aura surrounded the young witch throwing Speedy to the ground. She reached out and her powers snatched him up and chucked him into the cold bay. Roy flipped end over end before landing in the water with a loud splash. Raven turned around and marched over to where Jinx and Kid Flash were embracing.

"Get out of here before I call Robin," Raven coldly warned the red headed speedster, pulling Jinx away by her wrist. "And you'll need to fish that pawing, grabby, disrespectful cretin out of the drink."

Raven surrounded Jinx with her dark powers and teleported back to the tower. Kid Flash kicked the pebbles in frustration and dashed off to help his friend. Roy had already swum to shore and shook off the cold water.

"Well?" Kid Flash asked angrily. "Was it worth it?"

Speedy looked up and grinned roguishly.