Ch 38

Raven woke up on her bed in her pajamas in Titan's Tower, hearing snores behind her. Turning around, she smiled to see Gar clutching her blankets to his body, which was in a curled up position. Careful not to wake him, she moved closer to him, closed her eyes, and decided to get some more sleep until she felt his hands reach out to her, holding her waist to his body.

"Gar!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"What? I wanted something cute and warm to cuddle with," he said as he started to smell her scent.

"Did you just compare me to a stuffed animal?" she asked as she blushed.

"Um," Gar chuckled, "I guess I did, but it wasn't on purpose I swear." Raven leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips before moving away to look into his eyes. "Are you ok Rae?"

"Trigon needed to be killed."

"I know Raven, and I know it couldn't have been easy even though he was evil. You're nothing like him Rae so don't even think it. What you did was born out of grief not hatred."

"I never want to kill again Gar."

"You don't have to. There's always a choice."

"You've killed before right?"

"It was survival for me. When I was captured as a child, I was forced to steal. The worst part is I was starved and beaten. When I was finally able to escape, I turned into a tiger and ate the people who kidnapped me. I was so hungry and angry that I couldn't think straight. After I saw what I had done, I was horrified but I was free. Killing is a last resort for me."

"It's always an option for you then?"

"If there's no other way to destroy a villain, it's my last option. Our friends, not even the Doom Patrol know this because it's never gotten that far."

"I won't tell them Gar. I promise."

"It does bother you though, doesn't it?"

"I'm just afraid—

"I'll lose myself. It won't happen. I know who I am Rae. I just hope that I—

Raven smiled. "You're not getting rid of me that easily Garfield Logan," she said as her arms went around his neck.

"Good because I love you Raven and I never want to let you go," he said as he kissed her hungrily, feeling her pull him as close as two bodies could get.

"I love you to Garfield," she said as she brought him in for another kiss, which turned into many kisses as they got completely lost in each other.

Raven had let Gar sleep as she showered, dressed and made her way to the kitchen to see Karen helping Victor make breakfast as Dick and Kory relaxed on the couch watching Silas and Jacklyn play.

"I can see your children are as rambunctious as you Victor," said Raven.

"I'll take that as a compliment little lady," he smiled. "I'm glad to see you and Gar again. I thought it would be forever since we'd see you two."

"We won't be able to stay for very long, just until we get our bearings," said Raven as she sat at the table.

"I just wish there was a way to clear your name," said Victor. "It isn't fair that you and Gar have to keep running."

"I wish it wasn't this way either Victor, but I made my choices and now I have to live with them," she said as she felt two tugs on her white cloak.

Karen smiled. "It looks like Silas and Jacklyn wanted to meet their aunt Raven."

"It's nice to finally meet you two," Raven smiled.

"You're pretty," said Silas.

"Can't argue with that," said Gar as Raven blushed.

"Thank you Silas, that's very sweet of you to say," said Raven as she hugged the little boy.

"You're hair is really cool, and I love your chakra," said Jacklyn.

"You know about chakras?" asked Raven with surprise.

"My mommy's friend is into them and meditation," said Jacklyn.

A strange feeling came over, and Raven needed to know who this person was. "What do they look like?"

"She looks kind of like you actually," said Karen. "She has the same hair, but her skin is normal. She also wears a chakra similar to yours. Her name's Angela Roth."

"Th—that's my mother. How is this possible? She died a long time ago."

"I think the only way you're going to get answers is if you come home with us," said Karen. "Now eat the breakfast we made and we can get going in a few hours," she said as everyone sat down to eat.

Gar looked at his girlfriend. She hadn't touched her food. When he moved his hand on top of hers, he thought she lifted her hand away from his but he was surprised when she gripped his hand in hers, resting their hands on her lap.

"It's going to be ok Rae. We'll figure out what's going on but if you don't eat and drink your tea, I think Karen's going to stare at you until you do," he said as Raven looked at Karen.

"All right," said Raven as she began to eat.

Once they said goodbye to Dick and Kory, Victor, Karen, Gar, and Raven packed up the T-car and the kids. Victor drove while Raven sat next to him in the passenger seat with Gar as a cat. Karen felt the back seats were more appropriate for her and the kids for more space and safety.

"You ok?" asked Victor.

Raven was petting her sleeping boyfriend in her lap. "I don't know what to think honestly."

"It's understandable. Someone you thought was dead for years is suddenly alive."

"It's not just anyone Victor. It's my mother. Why wouldn't she contact me after all this time?"

"How did you meet Angela anyway Karen?" asked Victor.

"We shop at the same health store," said Karen. "She owns her own bookstore, and I went in one day to find some new books for the kids. She was a big help, we found we had some things in common, and we hit it off right away. She's a nice lady."

"Is she happy?" Raven asked.

"She seems very content with her life," said Karen.

"You think she won't want to see you," said Victor.

"Why wouldn't she daddy? Raven's so cool," said Silas.

"Yeah!" said Jacklyn.

Raven felt Gar rub against her stomach, and she smiled as she scratched behind his ears, causing the green cat to pur.

Victor smiles at the scene. "Looks like someone agrees."

"He's been very good to me Victor. I couldn't ask for a better person to spend the rest of my life with."

Victor was surprised by her outward affection for Gar. Her words surprised him even more, but he smiled. "You really love him, don't you."

"I do," she smiled as Gar nuzzled her face and then licked it.

"So cute!" exclaimed Jacklyn as Raven blushed.

The drive was a pleasant and surprisingly quiet one as the kids fell asleep while Karen checked her phone for messages and emails from work. Gar was fast asleep in his girlfriend's lap with her hand resting on him. Raven was trying to get some sleep but failing miserably.

"It's going to be ok Raven. You'll get the answers you need from her."

"Yeah, but will it be the answers I want."

"Would you want to fix things between you two? This is your chance to find out for sure," said Victor. "Now try and get some sleep."

Gar was dressed in his pajamas and laying on the bed in Victor's guest room. He was worried about Raven. She had been in the bathroom for a while. Before he could get up to find out what was going on, he heard the click of the light go off in the bathroom and the door open. Closing his eyes, he felt the bed dip as Raven got under the covers. Bringing his arms out to reach her, he felt the bare skin of her hips in his hands and as he moved his hands elsewhere, he was surprised not only by her nakedness in someone else's home but the look in her eyes was of pure want.

"Raven?" he said as she caressed his face. "This isn't like you. You're feeling vulnerable right now, and I know you would never feel comfortable having sex in Victor's home."

"I just need a distraction for tonight. I'm not sure I'd get to sleep otherwise," she said as she pressed her body against his clothed body.

"You know I would love to take you on this bed Rae, but it wouldn't be right. We'll get you to sleep another way," he said and then he felt Raven leave the bed, standing in the middle of the darkened room. Gar got up from the bed, removed his clothes, and held Raven in the dark. "I know you're scared of being hurt by your mom, but I know you need answers for your own peace of mind. I'm going to be right there with you if you need me."

Raven looked up at him. "I'll always need you Gar, and I appreciate what you're saying. Thank you for stopping me."

"You don't know how hard it was to stop you."

Raven smirked. "I have some idea," she said smiling. "I can feel you coming alive against me."

Gar sighed as he came out of Raven's embrace. "I'm going to cool down, but you need to get dressed for my own sanity Rae," he said as he closed the bathroom door behind him.

Raven smiled as she opened the drawers, put on some pajamas, and got back into bed, awaiting Gar's return before she fell asleep. Hearing the door open, she saw her half naked boyfriend in a towel dripping wet pick up his pajamas off the floor and place them on the bed as he sat down at the edge of the bed.

Using the towel around his neck to dry his hair, his torso, and his back, he put on his t-shirt. Dropping the towel around his waist, he put on his boxers and plaid pajama pants. Putting the towels away, he got into bed next to Raven, who was blushing. He smiled. "You were watching me, weren't you Rae?"

"Shut up and go to sleep Gar," she said as she turned away from him but she had a feeling he wouldn't be ignored and she was right as he turned her body towards him, passionately kissing her on the lips. He smirked. "Payback's a—her lips muffled the rest of his speech as she kissed him back.

"Goodnight Gar," she said as she rested her head on his warm, clothed chest, feeling his arms around her. "I love you."

"Love you to Rae," he said, kissing her forehead. "Everything will be ok, you'll see."

"I hope so Gar."

"You're strong Raven. You'll get through whatever happens next because we're in this together. Victor and Karen are here for you to. You'll have more support then you know what to do with."