Raven noticed Beast Boy's grim expression to Slade's comment, and the struggled to get up off the couch.
"Come with me," Raven said, taking Slade's hand.
"Uh oh, I think I'm in trouble," he said with a smirk, and a cocky attitude. She walked him to the other side of the kitchen, and then turned around on her heal to face him.
"Act your age!" she whispered harshly, "Make a good impression!"
"But how can I fix an impression, a bad one at that? I am not to fond that they are here…."
"And they are not to fond that you are with me. We all make sacrifices, Slade. Please just get along, for me." Slade sighed. Trying to gain composure, and a good attitude for the house guests.
"Okay, for you," smiled, unclipping his mask quickly to give Raven a peck on the lips. Raven smiled at the gesture and waddled back to the couch, but noticed that he wasn't behind her.
'Now what is he doing?' she thought to herself, a worried look on her face. Slade had walked over to the fridge, insight of the rest of the group. He rummaged around and clinked around a couple of bottles.
"Want a beer anyone?" he asked turning around. Raven smacked her hand to her head, and the others just stared at him, blankly. No one said anything, and an ere silence entered the room. Slade frowned, and placed the bottles back into their positions, and made his way back disappointed with no beer in hand.
"What were you thinking?" Raven asked, whispering, placing a hand on his shoulder, as he sat down.
"It's usually a conversation starter, and it breaks the ice at most parties," he said in a low hushed voice, "at least it was thoughtful."
"So," Raven said loudly, grabbing the attention of the teens who were listening in closely to their hushed tones, "how's the crime rate?"
"Boring," Robin stated.
"On an all time low," Cyborg sighed.
"Got to be the lowest since the early stages of this city," Beast Boy pointed out.
"Dull," Starfire said while placing her chin in her right palm on her right knee.
Slade was glad that his expression was covered by a mask, for he was smiling. The Titans seemed really involved in the turmoil that he caused. Since Raven had been by his side, taking up time to use to make new plans.
"As soon as you left, the crime rate went with you. Our lives are definitely more uneventful," Robin said. Slade watched Robin, he seemed to be defensive, secretly though, his eyes always in a stare.
"Friend Raven, when is the child to be born?" Starfire asked.
"Approximately two months. I'm getting nervous," Raven responded her voice shaky.
"You will be fine," Slade reassured her, pulling her into him close once again. She smiled in his grasp.
"A smile!" Beast Boy said, "we haven't seen one of those for a long time."
"Maybe because we haven't seen her for a long time," Cyborg snorted back.
"Get some common sense," Robin teased.
"It's still a wonder to me, how you guys stick together," Slade sighed.
"The same goes for you and Raven. We wonder all the time," Beast Boy said.
"Love," Raven stated, "is what binds us together, but is also what keeps us apart."
A device in the kitchen beeped, and Raven started to get up.
"No, I'll get it…whatever it is. You sit," Slade said, getting up.
'So genuine, so kind so…not like Slade. Could this be the man that resides behind the mask?' Robin thought, probing at the situation.
"So, Raven," Starfire began to speak, leaning in closer to her friend, "have you seen his face?" Raven paused, should she say yes, and relish his handsome features, while telling them?
"Um, Raven?" Slade asked, "what the hell are you making?" Raven rolled her eyes, and started to get up, but before she left the room she turned her head and said, "Yes." Starfire only got more excited and more anxious to hear about the features that this man holds. Raven started to stir the stew that was on the oven, and Slade stood behind her, and massaged her shoulders and back. No matter how great it felt, her friends wouldn't admire it.
"Stop, it," she said jerking her shoulder, "not here nor now. Later."
Slade smiled, "I can deal with later."
-xXx
"The time elapse between each of the contractions is getting smaller!" Raven yelled, her voice stressed and tired.
"I know, I know! Just try and follow me," Cyborg said his voice frustrated.
"Is friend Raven alright?" Starfire asked.
"What do you think?" Raven scowled. Starfire gasped in surprise at her friends malicious tone.
"Is it time?" Beast Boy asked.
"No, I'm only screaming in pain because--ah shit!" Raven barked in pain. Cyborg scooped her up, and ran to the room where she was taken where she was weak and food deprived. The familiarity of the room was comforting, and she relaxed slightly.
-xXx
Slade paced around his office, his nerves frayed. He had let Raven go to the tower, right around the time of the child's birth, how inconceivably stupid on his part. No time for walking around the room pacing like a maniac, he needed to act fast.
'Oh come on, where is all that quick thinking, that intelligence now! Figure something out and stick with it!' Slade's conscious mocked.
"It is so difficult to know what is the right decision when it involves the one you love," Slade answered his mind.
-xXx
Beast Boy ran to Raven's side, and caringly placed a hand on hers, trying to relieve her tension. But Raven grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly.
"Ah! My hand! It can't breath!" Beast Boy said, trying to shake her off.
"Gosh man, suck it up!" Cyborg said.
-xXx
He was exhausted from barely any sleep the past few nights, worrying about Raven. The date was close, and he was as frightened as ever.
'Isn't it funny how a natural thing can scare a man till he feels so small, so childish, but he can face any villain, many other man that comes his way? Interesting how things work out like that,' his conscious rambled. The thoughts made his mind wander, which made the eye lids heavy with sleep. He fought to stay awake, he really did, but fatigue took over anyways.
-xXx
About five hours later, the three Titans were still in the same room, monitoring Raven, Beast Boy still next to her side, praying that her grip would still stay a little loose.
"Dude, how much longer?" Beast Boy asked.
"Another hour or two maybe. All will be over soon," Cyborg reassured.
-xXx
'Get up you lazy ass….' The words echoed loudly in his mind, causing him to stir, and slowly open his eyes to the late afternoon. Thoughts of Raven quickly flooded back as soon as he gained conscience from his slumber.
"Raven?" He called, asking her name hoping he would find her. But to his displeasure, no answer was returned. Thinking she was still at the tower, he grabbed his mask, and headed out the door to retrieve his most precious possession.
-xXx
"Robin, why have you not come down to see Raven? Cyborg says it is time for Raven to bring forth the child," Starfire asked, her head cocked, as she stood in his doorway.
"Something doesn't seem so right. The picture is still so unclear," Robin sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Why are you so persistent to make this "picture" clear?"
"Because it doesn't all make sense." Starfire walked deeper into the room, and the door closed behind her.
"Yes it does, you are just looking to deep into it. She loves him, and he feels the same way. You saw it those two months ago! Is that not enough proof?" Star interrogated.
"I just can't see it happening…."
"Is it because you love Raven and are trying to protect her?" Starfire said, her spirits dowsed. Robin looked from the ground to the alien beauty standing before her in his bedroom.
"You think that I…? Starfire, I love you. That will never change, I just care for Raven's safety," Robin explained, looking Starfire straight in the eye. Starfire's eyes were glossy with tears, and she blinked happily, trying to keep her happiness in. Robin stood up, now inching over Starfire, (oh what a couple months can do…) and walked over to her, and enveloped her hands into his, and inter-locked fingers. Starfire over bound with joy ran into him, causing their fingers to disconnect, but Robin enclosed her in a strong, meaningful hug. He took his right and lifted her chin on the slightest of angles, and pushed his lips onto hers. They enthusiastically dug into the others mouth, wanting so much more right then, but danger flashed in the red lights. Robin broke the kiss, and grabbed onto Starfire's hand, leading her down into the main room of the tower.
-xXx
"Think they can take her away from me? They think they can take something we have worked so hard for, and destroy it for us?" Slade angrily said, climbing the mound of rocks the tower sat on, "well next time they should think a little bit harder."
-xXx
"It's Slade…," Robin said, his voice menacing.
-xXx
"Slade…get Slade," Raven said, "I want him to be here. He was so nervous…," Raven explained, her voice soft and hushed. Beast Boy and Cyborg looked at each other, unsure of how to respond.
"We'll see. And try, that's all we can do right now," Beast Boy said, very gentle, not a harsh word to be found.
Red lights filled the room, and Cyborg knew where there place was, at Raven's side. The two separate minds, in make-up and thinking, both thought of the same name, when the lights came on…Slade.
-xXx
Robin landed a foot in Slade's chest, Slade staggering backward a little, his angered thoughts scattered, and he realized he needed to focus just on getting to Raven.
"What do you think you're doing here?" Robin asked defensively.
"You already know. Didn't think you were that ignorant to start off another fight of serious ass kicking with a thoughtless line. Yet, you proved me wrong," Slade commented, "How is she. More like where is she…and the rest of your team." His eyes were shifting towards Starfire, who stood closely behind Robin.
"Inside," Robin plainly asked.
"God damn you little bastards," he looked at Starfire, "and bitch. She's in fucking labor, isn't she?" Starfire nodded at the comment, accidentally, and that lit the fuse in an anger father-to-be.
"You thinking taking away my wife isn't good enough?" Slade said, throwing punches, while dodging Robin's, "you just have to take away my descendant too? Are you really the people fight for the right this time?"
Starfire retreated away from the two, she knew that it was their battle, and Robin wanted a little taste of revenge after Slade had rattled him awhile ago.
"Why did you seduce her? Impregnate her and marry her?" Robin asked, while with difficulty dodging and giving attacks.
"Because I love her! Isn't that a good enough answer for you? Why do you fear the man behind the mask so much? Maybe because you fear yourself behind your mask?" Slade asked, and grabbed Robin's arm.
'Oh shi--'
Slade threw him around, holding firmly to his wrist. He kicked him, punched him, and once he was partially satisfied, he let go of his wrist, and let him fall to the ground.
"You can't let time or love wear down on your work, Robin. Keep sharp," Slade said while running toward the tower.
-xXx
"Come on Raven…," Beast Boy prayed silently as Raven not so silently delivered the child. Her cries seemed to echo throughout the tower, letting Slade know where she was. He ran as fast as he could, tearing through the hallways. Right before Slade entered the doorway of the room, he heard him say, "Congratulations! A healthy baby…."
-xXx
"Robin!" Starfire screamed, running toward him.
"I'm fine," he choked.
"You are hurt again, are you not?" she asked, taking him up into his arms.
"More bruises that are going to hurt like hell in the morning," he reassured, "we need to go see Raven."
"No, you need to rest."
"But she has never seen us present in that room all day."
"She will understand…I hope."
-xXx
"It's a--" Cyborg started.
"I know what it is," Slade flippantly, running to Raven's side. Cyborg continually tended to the newborn, as Slade comforted Raven, and Beast Boy watched.
At that moment, seeing his exhausted wife, he decided that his plan was void. Slade finally realized his obligations, the obligations that lost him is right eye. This time he wasn't going to make the same mistake of losing everything. He loved Raven, and he now believed that he loved their baby just as much. Beast Boy watched in complete awe as Slade muttered sweet nothings into her ear. It was odd to see the villain that the team has learned to hate so much, reassure, love, and care for a teammate that was once an active member. Beast Boy let go of her soft and delicate hand, and noticing the cooler air, touch her hand Raven turned her head towards Beast Boy's direction. She saw a grin form on her face when she looked him in the eye.
"You did great," he complimented.
"Thank you, I am indebt to you," she replied, a large and meaningful smile on her face.
"Don't worry about it, it was the least I could do."
"It probably caused just as much pain as having this child, didn't it?"
Beast Boy's eyes became wide, "No, not that much." Raven smiled, and turned her attention back on Slade. Her face became disgruntled, and asked, "Why do you look so guilty?"
"Guilty? I didn't do anything," he lied, knowing he knocked around Robin a few minutes earlier.
"Ten fingers, ten toes, and a cute little nose," Cyborg said trying to rhyme. Even Slade smirked at the attempted joke. Beast Boy just looked at his mechanical friend, as if he was threatening to take his place as the stupid joke maker.
"She's beautiful," Raven smiled weakly, exhaustion hugging her every word and movement.
"Not as much as you are right now," Slade complimented.
"Then maybe I should go through labor more often," Raven commented.
"No! I mean, just as long as I'm not here," Beast Boy noted.
"What's her name?" Cyborg asked, in anticipation. Raven looked sleepily at the babe, and thought the perfect name.
-xXx
Robin got up on two legs once again, and started to walk, with an ache in every step, toward the tower, Starfire their to support him.
"I hope that everything is alright up there," Robin said.
"I'm sure it is, just concentrate on standing up without falling over," Starfire said, entering the tower doors, slowly letting go of him, still thinking that he would collapse. But alas, he could walk, well, more like limp.
"This will take hours just to reach the stairwell. Take my hands," Starfire said. Robin grabbed her hands, and she flew him up the stairs toward the room where Raven was staying.
A/N: Considered a cliffhanger? I don't know! But hopefully this will grab your attention for the next chapter. Oh the next chapter is going to be so…not happening if no one reviews! ((walks away laughing))
