Disclaimer: I do not own the teen titans or the words to the song Positively Fourth Street by Bob Dylan. Sorry for the delay my computer has been having MAJOR temperamental problems. It is now seeing a shrink.

Hand in Hand

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Positively Fourth Street

6th December

Raven stared out of her window deep in thought. The last few days had been relatively peaceful; sure she had had that little run in with Terra something that she had now pushed to the back of her mind and told herself it hadn't happened. Terra had been acting suspiciously since then and the amount of arguments that she had engaged in with Beast Boy had risen to an all time high. Raven wondered what was up with those two. She had an inkling that somehow it concerned her directly, but apart from that the other titans had pretty much carried on as normal.

Raven's brow rumpled into a cute frown as she recalled the 'incident' yesterday with Aqualad. She supposed it was her fault really; after all he had only tried to do what most do in relationships.

He had tried to kiss her.

Raven scowled suddenly, she had pushed him away quite violently and told him, at a multitude of volume levels that she was not ready for that and that she would tell him when she was. But secretly she doubted that she would ever be ready to be kissed by him. In fact, even though she hated to admit it, when kissing was mentioned her mind immediately pictured Robin which caused to her flee and spend several hours meditating.

True, she had not seen head or tail of her timidity since that disturbing episode in nevermore and she had hoped that there was some sort of emotion in there that would stop her pursuing Robin like she had done Aqualad. She still cringed when she remembered the evening in the coffee shop. But luckily her pride had still been intact. And luckily she had a lot of pride.

She counted herself lucky on that count.

But apart from those two little mishaps the past two days had been quiet. There had been no villains, no economical upset, no wars announced, no yelling and thankfully no more decorating.

Raven hoped that this peace would last. However it didn't. She had been minding her own business. Staring out of the window watching the city awaken. But then something had happened. Something terrible and more terrifying than Genghis Kahn on a snack attack. And that something...was Starfire.

##You gotta lot of nerve,

To say you are my friend,

When I was down,

You just stood there grinning##

"RAVEN! FRIEND RAVEN!" the voice screeched through the entire tower causing even the windows to flinch.

Raven sighed knowing that if she did not submit to the will of the redhead then she and the rest of tower and possibly everyone up until China would be subjected to horrible torture. She uncurled her legs from under her and rose into a standing position. She brushed the dust of her uniform and then walked over to the door, "I'm coming." She confirmed as she skirted the edge of the bed.

The last thing she needed was Starfire coming into her room and seeing the dried blood all over the floor. There were many questions that she did not wish to answer just yet. Probably never.

She slid open her door and stepped into the hall narrowly sidestepping a rib cracking embrace as she closed the door behind her. She turned her emotionless face to Starfire, "Morning Star, what can I do for you?" she kept her tone light.

Starfire beamed, Raven wondered that if the smile went any wider would the young alien's face crack? The thought amused her but she quickly banished it as Star opened her mouth and began talking at a speed even the roadrunner would be proud of.

"Oh friend Raven, I'm glad I caught you. I was wondering if you would want to go to the mall with me today. I know that Aqualad is busy in Atlantis today and Terra is in a mood and so I thought that you would like to commence the ritual of Christmas shopping with me. Conceivably it may be fun! And also I need your help in purchasing some gifts I have no knowledge of the things that Robin would want and I..."

Raven cut her off with a wave of her hand, "Remember to breathe Starfire. You're turning blue."

Starfire's hands flew to her face, "Blue?" she squeaked, "Perhaps I am ill, Robin will have to accompany me to the hospital I may the plague, or likerjnerack!"

Raven frowned, "Likerjnerack?" what the hell was that? "Never mind, Star, it was an expression. You're not ill."

##You've gotta lot of nerve,

To say you've got a hand to lend,

You just want to be on,

The side that's winning##

"Oh." Exclaimed Starfire in relief, "Thank goodness."

Raven stared at her friend in disbelief, Star had been on earth a long time now and she still hadn't mastered the phrases and analogies that everyone else used everyday. She shook her head; just last week Star had told Raven that cooking was a 'piece of pie' instead of a 'piece of cake'. That had caused hours of entertainment on Beast Boy and Cyborg's part who just happened to over hear. It was the same when last month Starfire had challenged Terra to a dance competition and the blonde had denied. To which Star had called her a 'turkey' and not a 'chicken'.

"On second thoughts friend Raven! Do not accompany me to the mall! We shall go back into your room and ritual of writing up a purchase lists for each of our friends! Shall it not be the greatest fun?" Starfire went to brush past Raven.

##You say I let you down,

You know it's not like that,

If you're so hurt,

Then why don't you show it? ##

Raven felt rage bubble within her, but she would not let it emerge now. The accident with Terra had been close, she would not do the same to Starfire, "NO!" she called out dragging Starfire back gently, "Uh, I mean let's do this in the kitchen downstairs. It's lighter in there..." she trailed off lamely knowing that anyone in their right mind would realise that what she had said was an attempt to keep others out of her room.

To her surprise Starfire smiled and nodded, "That is a wondrous idea! Let us go at once!"

Raven stared after the redhead as she flew off towards the stairs, "No one in their right mind..." muttered Raven, but then that was of course the problem. Raven wasn't sure if Starfire was in her right mind...or any mind at all for that matter...

##You say that you lost your faith,

But that is not where it's at,

You had no faith to lose,

And you know it##

She walked into the kitchen after Starfire and the tension in the air was so thick that you could cut it with a butcher's knife. Raven paused and her glance swept across the room to Terra and Beast Boy. Beast Boy merely smiled and turned his attention back to his tofu breakfast. Terra glared heatedly.

Raven allowed a smirk to show on her features.

She looked away and slid onto a stool next to the kitchen and watched with raised eyebrows as Starfire went back and forth searching for a piece of paper and a pen.

Raven rested her elbow on the table and but her chin on her fist. She watched with something closer to disdain than amusement as paperclips and notebooks flew past as Star's search grew more and more frantic.

Eventually the redhead came and sat opposite Raven with a fountain pen and a piece of A4 yellow paper in her hand. Raven hadn't even realised they had coloured paper... then she realised that the sheet was just very old.

Starfire took the cap off the pen and deftly scribbled down six names. In alphabetical order. She looked up at Raven and smile showing off her perfectly white teeth. "Right. What would you suggest that I purchase for Aqualad?" she held the pen poised over the paper.

Raven shrugged, "Anything, he's never had a Christmas present before so he'll be pleased with whatever you buy for him." That was half true. That and that fact that she herself had no clue whatsoever on what to get her 'boyfriend'.

Starfire nodded and scribbled 'Anything' next to Aqualad's name.

Raven shook her head, she really shouldn't be celebrating. She had nothing to celebrate. "Who's next?"

"Beast Boy."

"That's easy. What you should buy for him falls easily between two categories, tofu or a computer game." Raven shrugged as she said it not even bothering to think if the green elf would like something else.

"Cyborg."

Raven thought for a moment, "I suppose either a computer game, a video or some new tools...maybe." She sighed, "I don't know. I think it's all a waste of time."

Starfire ignored this comment and scribbled down the suggestions next to Cyborg's name. "You."

##I know the reason,

That you talk behind my back,

I used to be among the crowd,

That you're in with##

Raven looked up, "I don't want anything."

Starfire looked up to and frowned, "But friend Raven you must want something!"

Raven's eyes narrowed, what was it with people? Did they think that she lied all the time? Why didn't they take her at face value? When she said that she didn't want anything, she didn't say that to save them money, she said it because it was true.

"No Starfire. I said that I don't want anything."

The redhead didn't catch the warning in her tone and merely scowled, "You must want something. Everything wants something!"

Raven swore under her breath, "I want nothing."

Actually she did want something but it was nothing that Star could give her. She wanted what was happening in nevermore to stop. She wanted her paranoia to go away, she wanted her wounds to heal, she wanted to not have to rely on her own self destruction to feel alive, she wanted Aqualad to be her friend and only her friend, she wanted Terra to disappear and most of all she wanted what was Star's. She wanted Robin. She felt like pulling all her hair out in frustration. Why must she always want what she cannot have? And why must she always have what she didn't want.

##Do you take me for such a fool?

That I'd make contact,

With the one who tried to hide,

What she doesn't know to begin with##

"Uh, Star?" asked Raven when she realised that Starfire was rambling on and she had no idea about the gibberish that was flowing out of the girl's mouth. She didn't have the energy to try and decipher it anyway.

"Yes friend Raven?"

"Can you get one of the others to help you? I have something to do." That was a blatant lie and raven knew it, but she had to escape from the confines of the tower, for fear that Starfire would drive her up the wall and if that happened Raven didn't know if she could control the anger that was rampaging inside of her.

Starfire looked disappointed for a second but then she smiled and nodded, "Of course. I shall go and consult Terra and Beast Boy!"

Raven nodded her head distractedly and then teleported herself to the first place that came into her mind.

##When you see me on the street,

You always act surprised,

You say 'How are you?' 'Good luck'

But you don't mean it##

Raven's foul mood bled into her stride as she stormed in 'The Black Out.' It was empty again and she wondered if she was the only one who ever came here. It seemed as if one person only worked here as well.

The black haired girl looked up and grinned from where she sat at the counter idly flicking through a Wicca magazine. Her eyes twinkled as she turned to face Raven. "Hey Rae, you haven't been in for a while. I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me." She winked cheekily and closed the magazine, "Please take a seat." She indicated to the high stool/chair in front of her. "What can I get you today? We have a new variety in, I think it's all spice and sage, do you wanna try that?"

Raven sighed, "Sure why not. You get yourself something as well." She felt generous now that she was away from the tower. She could feel her rage bleeding out of her. It must be this place. The café did strange things to her.

The girl smiled nicely, "Thanks." She went back into the kitchen.

Raven began to trace complicated patterns on the table top.

The girl came back minutes later holding two cups of steaming tea. She set one down in front of Raven and another in front of herself. Raven leaned over to look at the girl's tea curiosity getting the best of her. "What's that then?" she asked taking a sip of her own.

The girl smiled and took a swig of the pale pink tea, "Its eyebright and thyme. For luck." She rested her elbows on the counter and looked across at Raven. "You seem tense. Is something wrong?"

Raven sighed dubiously, "I don't know maybe."

The girl nodded, "Want to talk about it?"

Raven shrugged, "Not really, but sometimes...I don't know it feels that if I don't tell anyone I'll implode."

"Uh, don't you mean explode?"

"No."

"Ah." Said the girl thoughtfully.

##When you know as well as me,

You'd rather see me paralysed,

Why don't you just come out for once?

And scream it##

Raven decided that she liked this girl, true she had often thought of her as annoying but it was nice to have a friend outside of the titans. She had other friends yes, but they were too far away for her to go and visit and she knew that none of them possessed mobile phones. She kind of classed the atlantian that Aqualad introduced her to, Rei, as a friend. But she would never talk to him about what she was feeling. Then it hit her, she didn't know this girl's name.

"Hey, what's your name?"

The girl looked up surprised, "I thought I told you."

"You probably did, but depending on the mood I was in I have probably forgotten." Raven admitted taking another sip of her tea.

The girl brushed her dark hair over her shoulder, "My name's Claire Morgan." She shrugged, "I know it's a boring name but it's so much better than being called Fred."

"Fred?"

"Oh, personal joke. Guy I dated. Horrid person." She said grinning into her cup.

"His name was Fred?" asked Raven as her right eyebrow rose.

"No. Milton."

"Huh?"

The girl giggled, "Sorry, I made it all up. I do that all the time to people. It makes introductions that much more interesting. Don't you think?"

"You're odd." Raven stated drinking more of her tea.

"I try."

Raven opened her mouth to say something else when she was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Raven didn't turn around to see who it was. She had no business in doing so.

"Raven? I saw you come in here and I thought... I need to talk with you." Came Robin's voice from somewhere behind her.

##No I don't feel that good,

When I see the heartbreaks you embrace,

If I was a master thief,

Perhaps I'd rob them##

Raven stiffened when she heard his voice. She didn't turn around, this time though it was because she didn't want to. Frantically her mind searched for a way out. She really didn't want to hear how everything that had happened was a mistake. After all she had heard his thoughts ages ago about him liking Star and not her. She didn't need to hear that thought voiced.

She turned her head slightly to make clear she was addressing him, "Can't you see I'm busy?" she snapped.

He shifted nervously and then looked at his feet. A moment later he looked up, "Uh, it's important."

"I don't care. I'm busy."

##And now I know you're dissatisfied,

With your position and your place,

But don't you see?

It's not my problem##

He made a noise in the back of his throat and tried again then, "Tomorrow then. I know you don't have plans."

Raven's left eye ticked in annoyance. How dare he presume to know whether she had plans or not. But unknowingly he had just given her, her way out.

"Actually Robin," she said turning away to face Claire, "I do have plans. I'm going to the mall with Claire tomorrow."

"Who the hell is Claire?" he almost shouted balling his fists.

"You invited me to come shopping didn't you?" she asked making a point of making eye contact with Claire who looked as if she'd just been electrocuted. Claire nodded her head and grinned.

"Oh yes. We're going to buy music and then have lunch and then go to a concert...and can you please not yell in my café? You're disturbing my customers!" Claire said in a casual tone directing all of her verbal actions towards a stunned Robin.

Robin looked around at the empty café, "What customers?"

Claire looked around as if noticing for the first time that they were the only one's in there. She scowled at Robin, "Well you're disturbing me! And do not question my words again or I'll have you barred!" she said the words with finality and she flapped a dishcloth at him.

Raven had no idea where the dishcloth had come from but somehow it added effect and she was glad for it. She looked back at Robin almost goading him to say something that would allow her and Claire to hurt him.

Instead though he merely glowered at Claire and stared at her. He shook his head, "Whatever." He muttered and turned on his heel.

The two girls watched him walk away, open the door and step out into the street. They watched him pass the window and turn around a corner.

Claire giggled, "That was fun. But now you really must tell me everything. I promise on my own life to keep everything that passes between us a secret unless God threatens me with an eternity or two in hell."

Raven turned back to face her. She trusted this strange and possibly clinically insane girl more than she trusted Aqualad and that was saying something. Which was strange normally she didn't take to knew people very well. Maybe Claire was someone that could help her. She took a deep breath. Slowly she began to tell her new friend about ALL of her troubles including Robin.

##I wish that for just one time,

You could stand inside my shoes,

And just for that one moment,

I could be you,

Yes, I wish that for just one time,

You could stand inside my shoes,

And you'd know what a drag it is,

To see you##