A/N: Hey, I´m back… with the brand-new chapter to Casablanca Lilies… yipee-yeah… honestly I´m surprised that I was able to bring this chapter out so early, but since my doctor put me on bed-rest for a week, I have all the time in the world to write, because I'm not allowed to do anything else…

A thank you and kudos to my beta Cherry Jade… she is the best… and read her stories… they are soooooo awesome and cool…

And before you can read the chapter, I want to recommend you some wonderful RaeRob stories, you just have to read…

Winter Change by Mind Shadow… you should definitely read his story. It's a wonderful story about how the society just can't accept that there are people who didn't care about physical attributes… it's difficult to describe the story… just read it and you will see what I mean. It's wonderful, believe me…

Sleeping Demon by SweetNCrazieSugarmuffin… an original take on Sleeping Beauty… really awesome… read it…

Merry Christmas, My Love by Crzy Girl… a wonderful and an original Christmas story with a bit horror… you have to read this story, because I'm sure you will like it…

Ok, I hope you will all like this chapter…

So, enjoy it…

Chapter Nine:

Remember Me

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"So, you told him… about your feelings…?" Terra asked carefully, somehow she was afraid to hurt her more with all her questions than she already was.

Raven, who was sandwiched between Terra and Karen on the couch, nodded.

"And you are alright…?" Karen wanted to know and it was clear that she was worried over Raven.

"Yes… of course!" Raven said hastily… too hastily and smiled… or at least tried to smile, but it came out more as a grimace.

Terra rolled her eyes at the obvious lie, but kept silent. It wasn't wise to say anything to Raven now.

"What are you going to do now?" The blonde young woman asked instead and somehow she knew she wouldn't like her friends answer.

"I… I don't know… I thought, maybe I should really return home… to my parents… but for good this time…" Raven wasn't able to look at her two friends. She knew they wouldn't like her answer, but they had to understand that she didn't have any other option… not after what had happened with Richard.

"You'll leave – again!" Karen screeched, "You just returned… that's ridiculous, Raven! You can't just run away from your problems."

Raven turned her head to the right where Karen sat, "Why not…? What else can I do?" Raven knew that she was being difficult, but right now she didn't care. "Should I stay here and watch Richard and Kori live happily after…? Would that be less ridiculous…?" She would have screamed if she hadn't been so tired and heartbroken.

"You're selfish!" Terra accused and both Karen and Raven looked at her confused… Raven more than Karen.

"What…?" was the only coherent question the dark woman could form and her amethyst eyes were fixed on her blonde friend.

"You are selfish! You're only thinking about yourself… but have you ever though how WE would feel when you leave. Have you ever thought that you would break our hearts if you leave? Have you ever considered what Garfield or Victor would feel when you run away again…?" Terra paused in her rant to look at her friend only to see her with wide open eyes and a guilty expression on her face. Terra knew that Raven was sorry, but there was something else she had to say to her before she could stop.

"And have you ever thought of Richard… and how he would feel when his best-friend would leave him? I know that you are hurt… but friends don't leave each other. You've been friends for so long and…" She trailed off as she saw Raven turning away from her.

"Sometimes, friendship's enough," Karen added in help and smiled at Raven as the room fell silent.

"It's safer," Terra chimed with a small smile as the room fell into silence.

"Well, not everyone finds love like you guys did," Raven finally spoke up and a genuine smile graced her lips. It was then that her friends knew that she would be alright. Raven was strong and there was nothing that could keep her down.

She would be okay again… with time…

"You know, I think Roy would be happy to show you what real "love" is…," Karen told her slyly, "If you know what I mean…"

"Oh yeah, he's hot, Rae! You should definitely let him show you what "love" means," Terra said ginning wickedly.

Rolling her eyes Raven just shook her head, "One day, you two will be the death of me…"

"C'mon Ravey, you know you love us!" Terra grinned at her wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yeah, you grew on me… just like a fungus," Raven deadpanned trying to fight a grin off of her face.

"Ouch Raven that hurt…," Terra faked hurt.

"Girls, you know what this all for, don't you?" Karen interrupted the banter between the two other women.

"Ice-cream!" Terra nearly shouted and sprang off of the couch running to the kitchen.

Karen laughed proceeded to follow her blonde friend as she realized that Raven didn't move. "Raven, don't you want to come?"

"Just go ahead, I'll come… in a minute."

Karen looked at the dark-haired young with worried eyes, "Someday, you will find someone who loves you the way you deserved to be loved." And with that said Karen walked to the kitchen.

Smiling sadly, Raven whispered, "Yeah… someday…"

It was later that day, Raven decided to actually do something about her feelings… so; she stood in front of a large old Manor proceeding to ring the bell.

Only moments later the door was opened and Raven was greeted by an elderly friendly smiling man, "Miss Raven,"

"Alfred," Raven nodded and followed his invitation to enter the Manor.

"It's good to see you, Miss Raven. It's a while since we last saw you. Master Bruce was already complaining that he haven't anyone to play chess with and I have some new tea brands – just for you," Alfred told her while guiding her to the large living-room. "I guess you are here for Master Richard?"

It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes…" Raven said smiling at Alfred. She had always liked the old butler who was so much more than just a butler and she knew that Alfred liked her.

"Can I bring you some tea?" Alfred asked.

Raven shook her head, "No, thanks... I won't stay long. I just wanted to talk to Ri-"

"Raven…?" A voice behind her called and Raven wheeled around to be greeted by…

"Richard…"

He stood there in a simple white shirt and dark-blue jeans, his ebony hair tousled…. and his eye slightly swollen, but before she could voice her concern, Alfred spoke up.

"I think I'll leave you both alone," he turned to Raven, "It was nice to see, Miss Raven and I hope we will see you soon again, " with that said, Alfred walked out of the room.

With Alfred gone, Raven wasn't so sure about herself anymore. What should she tell me… after everything what had happened…

"Rae…" Richard spoke first, but Raven silenced him before he could say anything else.

She gestured at his eyes, "What happened with-"

"Oh…uhm… it's nothing… I just ran into something…" Richard explained awkwardly and Raven just looked at him skeptically.

"Raven, I wanted to apo-" Richard began, but Raven cut him short.

"Don't Richard… don't apologize for something you have no control over," She looked at him smiling sadly. "Look, I know that you don't love… me… and it's okay," Raven walked closer to him as she continued to talk, "You love Kori and I have to live with that…"

"But Raven-" Richard tried to say something but Raven shook her head and just continued.

"No, Richard, I just came to tell you that I will do everything to strengthen this friendship. I'm your friend and I'll be always your friend… you may not love me the way I love you, but I know that you care about me and I have to accept that…" Raven paused for a moment trying to fight down the tears that threaten to fall from her eyes.

"Sometimes friendship is enough," Raven echoed the earlier words of Karen and finally smiled up at him only to see Richard staring at her with an unreadable expression on his handsome face.

His azure eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul and Raven felt more than uncomfortable.

"Richard… say something…!" She finally said fidgeting under his piercing stare.

"What do you want me to say?" He asked her without leaving his eyes from her.

"Something that doesn't make me feel like a complete fool…" Raven trailed off as Richard walked closer to her.

He was mere inches away from her, putting his finger under her chin so that he could see her captivating amethyst orbs. Her eyes pulled him in like a whirlpool.

"I'm sorry…" He said softly.

Raven shivered as his finger brushed over her skin, "What do you mean?" She tried to shield away from him and his hypnotizing eyes.

"I'm so sorry Raven, but you have to understand…" And before Raven could understand what he meant, and before she was able to take in the closeness between them and comprehend why Richard was leaning down… his lips found hers.

And Richard kissed Raven.

A/N: Yeah, the chapter was totally short, but I assure you that the next chapter will totally make up for it… so, tell me how you liked the chapter and if you didn´t like it, tell me what I can do to improve my chapters… okay…?

I wanted to thank everybody who reviewed the last chapter and this story at all… I´m grateful for every review even if it seems as if I´m not… I´m not thanking you enough for all your reviews and support, so thank you very, very, very much…

Next chapter: We will finally see how Kori feels about all what´s happening; Where (or from whom) did Richard get his swollen eye from? And what will happen between Richard and Raven… Roy…?

Until next chapter…

Alena