AN: Nope, no ownership yet… deal with it

Compromising on Christmas Eve

The Christmas tree was so large that they had had to remove one of the tower windows and have Starfire fly it in. It reached the ceiling and was almost a little too big. But, Robin let Starfire choose the tree each year, so it was always less than normal. Now it was entirely decorated, as was the whole tower inside and out. Beneath the tree lay dozens of presents, each wrapped and addressed to one of the five friends. And in the air was the smell of gingerbread cookies that were cooling, which caused their mouths to water. And, as happy as this atmosphere was, there was one Titan that was not very happy.

"I just can't understand why you can't be here for Christmas," said Beast Boy as he watched Raven pack. "It's not fair."

"Beast Boy, it's one of the biggest Christian holidays there is," said Raven. "I have to have it with them."

"But we haven't gotten to spend a single holiday with you yet," said Beast Boy.

"I spent Halloween with you," said Raven.

"That's not the same," Beast Boy sighed and sat down on her bed. "And, I mean, understand that you only met them like three or four months ago, but I didn't get to see you for five years. They didn't even know you existed. I had to miss you that whole time."

"I know," said Raven as she zipped her last bag up. "But they've been missing my mother for twenty-two years. And now that she's gone, I'm all they've got."

"But they're not all you've got," said Beast Boy. "You keep talking like we're not your family. Please don't say that we're not, because we are. You don't have to be related to be a family."

"Of course you're my family," said Raven, sitting down next to him. "And you'll always be my family. But now my family has grown, and it's unfair of me to leave out one side of my family."

"Then why are you leaving me-us out?" he asked.

"I can't be in two places at once," she said. "Trust me, if I could, I would. But, since I can't, I'm choosing to spend my holiday with my grandparents."

Beast Boy was quiet for a moment. In this time Raven stood up and grabbed her bags. It was Christmas Eve and she was flying to Gotham in a few minutes. He had been fighting her on this all week, but he just couldn't seem to make any progress.

"Can I come with you?" he asked.

"To Gotham?" asked Raven.

"Yeah," said Beast Boy, standing up. "I mean, if you're going to spend Christmas with your grandparents then that's fine, but I want to be there too. So, can I?"

"Oh, Beast Boy, I don't know if that's a good idea," said Raven. "Why don't I give them a call?"

"Yeah, go ahead," said Beast Boy.

She shooed him out of the room, then got on the phone with her grandparents. She knew that he wanted to spend Christmas with her, but she believed her grandparents came first. It would be up to them on whether he could come or not.

He waited outside of her door, tapping his foot impatiently. He could take not having Thanksgiving with her, but Christmas was entirely different. He wanted her to be with them that day. He wondered if he was going to have to file for joint custody between him and her grandparents so that they could share her fairly.

A few minutes later, she opened her door and stepped out, her bags in her hands. "Sorry, but they didn't feel that it would be appropriate," she said sadly.

"Appropriate? How would my being there not be appropriate?" he asked, upset. "I'm your friend and Christmas is all about being with your loved ones. You know what I think, I think they just don't me to be near you cuz they think I'm gonna do something bad to you."

"They just care about me, Beast Boy," said Raven. "You can't blame them for that."

Beast Boy crossed his arms and thought to himself. "How long are you staying with them?" he asked.

"A week," said Raven.

"Then can I come down the day after Christmas?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," said Raven.

"Well ask them," said Beast Boy. "Tell them I've never seen Gotham covered in snow."

"Alright, I'll talk to them," Raven sighed.

Beast Boy looked at her for a moment, then said, "Raven, do you even want me to come? Cuz you're acting like I'm forcing you to do something you don't wanna do."

"No, it's not that," said Raven. "I just wish this wasn't all so complicated."

He sighed and said, "Would it just be easier if I just stayed her and waited for you to come back?"

"Easier? Yes," said Raven. "But, that's not what I want. I just need to figure out a way to let my grandparents let you come. But, I'll get you there one way or another. Even if I have to put you up in a hotel."

Beast Boy smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "You're awesome, you know that?" he said.

"I've been told once or twice," said Raven, rolling her eyes.

He released her and the two walked to the common room so the others could say their goodbyes as well. She was going to open her Christmas gifts when she got back, as much as they wanted her to open them now. And, after saying goodbye and reminding them that she had left them fresh cookies, she was off.

She couldn't believe how cold it was. Gotham in winter was far different than Jump City in winter. And there was already snow on the ground. She had never experienced Christmas with snow, so she was really having a traditional experience. She smiled as she walked up to her grandparents' house.

Before she could even knock on the door it flew open and her grandmother embraced her. "Oh, Raven I'm so glad you go here!" she said, hugging her.

"It's nice to see you too," said Raven.

"Come on in," said Mary. "Paul's already here."

"Paul?" said Raven as her grandmother yanked her inside and closed the door. "Grandmother, why is Paul here?"

"He and your grandfather are discussing the church's sky trip," said Mary.

"The church has a ski trip?" asked Raven.

"Yes, every year," Mary laughed. "They use it as a way to recruit teens into joining the prayer group. That's how we snagged Paul."

The walked into the kitchen were the two men were talking. There were papers spread across the table. The two looked up and saw Raven.

"Hey, you're here!" said Peter with a smile.

"Yes, I am," said Raven, sick of how everyone always stated the obvious.

"Hi Raven," said Paul with a sweet smile.

"Hi Paul," said Raven smiling kindly to him.

"Why don't you get unpacked and I'll get you something to eat?" said Mary with a smile. "You're always starving when you get here."

"Well, it's a long trip," said Raven.

"Go on, we're going to keep working on this anyway," said Peter, referring to the mess of papers.

Raven went up to her room and emptied her bags. She had one bag full of presents and she was going to put those under the tree. She looked out her window for a moment and she could see that the back yard has snow scattered around it, but there were bare patches. It had snowed four days before, so not much of it was left.

After she had dispensed the gifts under the tree she went to the kitchen where her grandmother had made her a sandwich and some tea. She sat down and ate as her grandfather and Paul worked. After a few minutes though, they were done.

"You know, you should join us, Raven," said Paul. "The ski trip is always fun."

"That's alright, I've never skied before," said Raven.

"All the more reason you should go," said Peter. "You can learn while we're there. They give free lessons."

"Thanks, but I'd rather not," said Raven. "Besides, I don't do well with crowds."

"Well, you can stay with me the whole time," said Paul with a smile. "I know how to ski, so I can give you some private lessons."

"Again, thanks for the offer, but I'm good," said Raven. "When is it?"

"New Year's weekend," said Paul. "We have a large party New Years Eve."

"Sounds like fun," said Raven.

"Then you should go!" said Mary, nudging her.

"No, I have to be back in Jump City by then," said Raven.

"Oh, I'm sure they'll be fine without you," said Peter. "Besides, you should really start thinking about getting out of that business."

"What? Being a superhero?" asked Raven,

"Yes, it's very dangerous," said Peter.

"I feel sick with nervousness each day knowing you may get hurt or even… die," said Mary, growing upset.

"It's really not as dangerous as you think," said Raven. "Besides, I've been doing this since I was fourteen. I know what I'm doing out there, as do my teammates."

"But haven't you ever wanted to live a normal life?" asked Paul.

"Well… sometimes, I guess," said Raven. "But, I love my life and I really wouldn't want to change it."

"You should always be up for change, Raven," said Peter in a fatherly tone.

Raven didn't like the odd sound in his voice, and went quiet. She could tell they were pushing her to go on that ski trip with Paul, but she really didn't want to go. She also knew that her grandparents wanted her and Paul to get together. As much as she appreciated that they didn't want her to be lonely, she just wasn't interested in Paul that way. She felt about him the same way she felt about Robin or Cyborg. As a friend.

That evening they went to church, where Paul joined them. His family went as well and it appeared they wanted him and Raven to get together as well. So they were forced to sit next to each other during the entire service. She was starting to feel a little frustrated with their constant pushing, especially when she wanted nothing more than to remain friends with him. But, she could feel that Paul didn't just want to be friends.

After the service Raven was finally rid of Paul for a little while. She and her grandparents went home and settled in for the night. She was glad to be home and out of that church, which was so packed she could barely breathe.

Of course, when she went to bed that night she called Beast Boy up and the two talked. He was very excited about Christmas and had already tried to guess what their friends had gotten him by shaking the boxes.

"Hey, I noticed that you gave everyone else gifts but me," said Beast Boy. "Why didn't you get me anything?"

"Of course I got you gifts," said Raven. "They're just here with me."

"You're holding my gifts hostage?" he said.

"Uh… no," said Raven. "I'm saving them for when you come here."

"So your grandparents said yes?" he asked, excited.

"Well… no, I haven't told them yet," said Raven. "But I've made up my mind and I want you to come, whether they say yes or not. I'm sure if I tell them that it would mean a lot to me they'll say yes. And, like I said before, I'll get you a hotel room if need be."

"This is gonna be great," said Beast Boy. "I haven't been outside of the city since the last time we went to Gotham, and that was like three months ago. Hey, is there any snow?"

"A little, but it's not really pretty," said Raven. "There are only splotches here and there."

"Awe," said Beast Boy, disappointed. "Well, maybe it'll snow while we're there."

"I hope so," said Raven. "Do the others know you're coming?"

"Not yet," said Beast Boy. "I'm gonna tell them tomorrow, though. I don't know what I'm gonna tell them, though. You know Star's gonna wanna come too."

"Just tell her that you wanted to patch things up with my grandparents," said Raven. "Hopefully that won't be a lie."

"Hey, I'll be good if they be good," said Beast Boy.

"I'll see what I can do," said Raven.

They talked until the very early hours of the morning, well, for Raven at least. By the time they were done it was very late night for Beast Boy. And he still wasn't tired. He was far too excited to feel sleepy. But, she was tired. So they said their goodnights and both were able to sleep comfortably that night.