Ch 26

"I guess this isn't so bad," said Raven as she lied in a tub of mud, leaning her head back against the edge.

"It is indeed very relaxing Raven," said Kory as she relaxed in her own tub of mud.

"So, you come here often?"

"Yes, I even bring Dick sometimes. You know how stressed he can get."

"That's an understatement," said Raven as Kory laughed.

"Do you think Gar would like this?"

"It's hard to say. He might like to roll around in the mud," she smiled, "but I don't think he could sit still for this long."

"I'm sure he would do it for you friend Raven."

Raven smiled. "Probably."

"You seem more happy and relaxed. Tell me, are you and Gar having sex?"

"Kory!" Raven exclaimed as she blushed.

"I will take that as a no. Why? Do you wish not to be intimate with him?"

"I—she sighed. She could tell Kory wasn't going to let it go. "I do want to be with him Kory, but with my emotions it's a bit more complicated."

"Perhaps you are thinking too much about it Raven. You've all ready made up your mind that you're going to hurt him, but I believe it is all in your head. Just—I believe Vic says at times to go with the flow."

"Yes, that's something Victor says from time to time."

"You love him, and he loves you. Sometimes it is as simple as this."

"You're a very wise person Kory."

"I have been known on occasion to give my wisdom when it is asked for," she smiled.

"So, how much is left to do for the wedding?"

"The only thing left is getting a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses as well as Dick's tux and the groomsmen tuxes."

"Well that doesn't seem so bad."

"I've been to many wedding dress stores and have not found a dress that suits me."

"Don't worry Kory we'll find you a dress. I'm sure Karen will be able to help," she said as she felt Kory's stress melt away.

Gar lied face up on a blue mat in Dick's training room. He sighed as he sat up on the mat, wiping his face with the towel Dick threw his way. Standing up, he threw the towel in a laundry bin.

"Dude, I know you want to keep vigilant but why did I have to spar with you?"

"It's important to keep your skills sharp Gar. You never know when you might need them."

"I know that's a good lesson and all, but I've trained with Mento long enough to see how much getting stronger can be an addiction. You can lose the people you care about. He almost lost the Doom Patrol."

"I can see your point Gar, but I'm curious about what kind of training you got from the Doom Patrol."

"No, you really don't want to know Dick. I almost lost my life a couple of times with how hard they trained me, and I was just a little kid."

"I can relate to bring pushed hard to train Gar but not to the brink of death. I'm sorry I asked."

"It's ok. So, are were done here?"

"You did a great job Gar."

"Compared to Kory I don't think so."

"Yeah," he smiled, "she is the greatest sparring partner I've ever had."

Gar smiled. "Don't you think you're a little bias?"

"Maybe but she challenges me in a way no one has."

"I know what you mean," smiled Gar.

"You know I've never seen Raven so happy," said Dick. "You must be doing something right."

"I love her and want her to be happy. That's all I'm concerned with."

"You're going to make a good husband someday Gar."

"Thanks. So, are you ready to be a husband?"

Dick smiled. "More than anything. We just have to get my tux, yours, and Vic's tomorrow."

Gar sighed. "I had a feeling we weren't done yet."

"It's just a tux Gar. You'll be ok."

"Dude I hate tuxes. They're all stiff and uncomfortable."

"You and Vic will have to measured for your tuxes. I just have to pick one out for me."

"Great," said Gar as he followed Dick out of the training room and then they separated. Gar went to his room to shower and change. He was not looking forward to tomorrow.

Gar came out of the shower fresh and clean from Dick's training. He sighed, feeling his muscles ache in places he didn't know he had as he wrapped a towel around his waist. Walking into the bedroom, he saw the site of his girlfriend mediating over the bed. Heading over to the dresser drawers, he grabbed some clean clothes.

"Dick being a dick today?"

Gar laughed. "Yep, he made me train with him, kind of brought back memories of training with the Doom Patrol."

"I'm sorry Gar."

He felt her warm hand on his damp back and felt all the aches and pains from Dick's training leave his body, but the memories with the Doom Patrol still remained. He smiled though. "Thanks Rae, so how did your day at the spa go?" he asked as he turned to face Raven.

"It wasn't actually that bad. I forgot how nice it was to talk to Kory."

"Well I'm glad you had a better time then me. I mean it wasn't all that bad. I wished him happiness with Kory, and he told me I'd make a great husband someday."

"Are you sure that was Dick?"

"Ha ha very funny Rae."

"Anyway I never thought I'd being talking to Kory in a mud bath."

"Wait, you were covered in mud."

"She convinced me to try it, and it wasn't that bad."

"You must have been really dirty."

"Well I was covered in dirt so—It was then she recognized the tone of his voice. It was husky as his arms made their way around her, drawing her to her half-naked boyfriend.

"Naked and dirty," he whispered into her ear.

Suddenly she felt wet between her legs as she moaned, feeling his whole body pressed against her. "Ga—Gar," she breathed.

"Too much?" he asked, his worried eyes penetrating hers.

"No," she said as she grabbed his head with her hands and passionately kissed him on the lips. She could feel his surprise and then his content as he wrapped his arms tighter around her, returning the kiss.

Breaking away for air, Gar breathed. "Wow! Just what did you and Kory talk about?"

"Sometimes I need to know when to use my head and when to follow my heart. I want you Gar. I'm not scared anymore. I trust you. I trust us," she said as he smiled at her.

She felt him lean into her ear once again. "I want you to Rae but not here. I want to do this right," he said as he kissed her forehead, let her go, and got dressed.