~RavensMind~

Between Lovebirds: A Series of Shorts

Scene 4: Gotham Performance

"Think we'll be late?" Robin asked through the door.

"Not if I take us," Raven replied.

"Right, but that might arouse suspicion if I show up with my date by teleporting," he said.

"Here I thought you wanted to be on time," she said.

"I also don't want people to know it's us," he retorted.

"They won't recognize me when I'm done in here," she said.

Robin stood on the other side of a closed bathroom door in a luxurious hotel suite in Gotham City, courtesy of Wayne Enterprises. He was on edge and understandably so, this was his first time back in Gotham after he left his former mentor. An out of the blue call from Batman had made him come back to help, just for a few nights, as his civilian alter ego. He didn't want to be mobbed by girls seeking the rich ward of Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, so he brought Raven to accompany him.

He leaned against the door frame and straightened his bowtie. He ran a finger through hair that was tidy and combed, making him miss his hair gel. He was looking forward to the night though, as he and Raven would be going to the theatre with a few of his old acquaintances from his days at his prep school. Their job would be to observe these acquaintances and report any suspicions in regard to a stolen supercomputer. Batman had traced the theft to one of the rich families of Gotham and wanted all the angles covered. While Batman was acting as Bruce Wayne, socializing with the adults in the box at the play, Robin and Raven would be getting information from the younger crowd.

The other Titans were taking care of Jump City while Robin and Raven were away, but had desperately wanted to come and help. Robin felt that it was mostly due to their hype about getting a chance to meet the Batman. Beast Boy had tried to trade with Raven, but Robin insisted that Raven should go, as he needed someone who he trusted with both of his lives: one as Robin, and the other as Dick Grayson.

"What are you doing to change your look, exactly?" Robin asked through the door.

"Awful things," Raven replied.

"I hope not," he replied.

"Concerned for me? Or just worried I'll make you look bad?" she asked.

"Not worried about the second part," he replied.

"Relax, I can deal with it," she said.

He smiled to himself as he walked over to the dresser and picked up his keys. He hoped she would like the play and wouldn't be too overwhelmed by the people they'd be hanging out with. He was also nervous about the night because this would be the first time he would be introducing Raven to Batman, and he wasn't sure how his mentor would act when he told him that she was his girlfriend as well as teammate. He hadn't brought many girls home and he was very serious about Raven.

Just as he was about to start going over the planned introduction in his head, the door to the bathroom opened and Raven emerged. Well, he knew it was Raven, but the long, black hair, make up, lipstick, and form-fitting dark blue, v-neck dress threw him for a long, exquisite loop. Her skin was just a little darker than his now, thanks to the small ring Cyborg had made which disguised the pale skin and violet eyes and violet hair that marked her as Raven. She almost tripped in her heels as she crossed the room to pick up a small black purse. The disguise had turned her eyes hazel, and they burned as they met his unmasked, piercing blue ones.

"You look uh, pretty awesome, Rae," he commented.

"Very handsome yourself. Star taught me the make up tricks, don't ask, it was more painful than any of your training sessions," she said.

"I'll take your word for it," he laughed, "You ready?"

"Yes I am...Dick," she managed, "Still not quite used to your other name."

"Heh, well trust me Rachel, yours is tougher," he said.

"Right, I nearly forgot we settled on that one," she said.

"It'll get easier as the night goes on," he reassured.

"Then let's get on with it," she said.

They were taken from the hotel by limo and arrived at the theatre only ten minutes later than the time they had given Batman. Of course the doors to the auditorium hadn't opened yet and the crowd was mulling around the lobby. Robin guided Raven through the throngs of paparazzi and random people and into the vip elevator. They both sighed in relief as the doors closed and it took them up to the level where the bar and box seats were. She squeezed his hand when the elevator's ding signaled their floor. The mingled scents of alcohol, perfume, and cologne hit them as they stepped out of the elevator. He guided her past a loud group of empty suits that had begun flicking straws at the window and yelling for more drinks from a young, unenviable waiter. Once free of the drunks, they found the well-mannered guests of Bruce Wayne, all scattered in his orbit near a large portrait by the doors to their box.

Bruce's gaze met Robin's and for a flicker of an instant, the Batman measured his former protege and the girl on his arm. Robin had already put on his face as the ward of Gotham's prince, but Raven felt a twinge of annoyance through their bond. They walked up to the group and were well received, but they both felt like every move they made was being scrutinized. Gotham's social circles were akin to small shark tanks at times.

"Ah, there you are, Dick! I was starting to wonder if I needed to send another limo to check on the first one!" Bruce said.

"Sorry about that, someone wanted to look her best, not sure why, she's already stolen my heart," Robin said with a grin, nudging Raven with his shoulder.

"Such a flatterer!" Raven giggled in a voice that was far more energetic than her usual monotone," I just had to spruce for tonight, it's such a big deal! I didn't know you knew so many amazing people!"

"It's no trouble, miss, I'm sure a donation from my company could've convinced the owners to delay until your arrival. It's been too long, Dick, we need to catch up, just who is this lovely woman?" Bruce asked.

"Rachel Roth, she and I have been dating for a couple months now," Robin replied.

"That's pretty sudden, you could have told me," Bruce said.

"Wanted to surprise you," Robin said, "Rachel, this is-."

"Bruce Wayne," Raven finished, extending her hand to Bruce, who shook it amiably, "He doesn't need an introduction, I've heard so much about him!"

"Good things, I hope? Can't believe everything you hear in the news, or from Dick," Bruce said.

"Wonderful things," Raven affirmed.

"Great! I hope you enjoy the premiere, I've heard it's ahead of its time," Bruce said.

With that, a few onlookers walked up and started talking to Bruce, allowing Robin and Raven to slip away to meet the younger crowd they were supposed to be checking out. Robin pulled her to one side, out of earshot for what anyone looking would assume was a kiss on the neck.

"That was a code, he wants us to try and get in the room early with the other guests that are our age," Robin whispered.

"Alright, let's see what we can learn from them, but Dick," Raven whispered back, "I still want to enjoy tonight."

"I'll see what I can do," he said with a smirk.

They went on to enjoy the performance and learned a few tidbits for the Batman, but they thoroughly enjoyed the play, and Batman also extended an invitation to the pair for a holiday visit at the manor in a few months. The last act of the evening took place in their hotel room, with no costumes, and no chance of an intermission.