-Jumps in- I, The Hooded Menace, am back after a week and a day without power! Here is the next bit of the story; give me a great Christmas present by reviewing.

Disclaimer: The lawyers make me say I don't own Teen Titans, but what do they know?

The Power Of The Sea -

Getting To Know You

The first thing to do, Aqualad decided, was to get Raven to relax around water. Once she was fairly comfortable with it, he'd start teaching her how to swim. He'd teach her so well that she would be almost impossible to drown, and that, he figured, would be the end of her fears. But in order for them to get started, he first needed to see her tolerance level for water. For instance, he knew she could wash a sink full of dishes and not be disturbed (Except maybe by the grime), and he assumed she still bathed, as she smelled nice, but other than that, he wasn't sure. So, he went looking for Raven so he could ask.

However, she was nowhere to be found. Not in the main room of the Tower, or in her room. He asked Starfire where she was, but got drool and a nearly-comatose stare as an answer; Beast Boy and Cyborg hadn't seen her, as they were locked in the epic battle known as Mega Monkeys Five, and Robin only shrugged. Aqualad was about to stop looking and start helping Raven later, when the Boy Wonder came up to him.

"I just remembered," he stated, "Earlier, I saw her going to the roof. She may still be there."

With a quick thanks, the Atlantian took to the stairs. It was a long way to the top, giving him plenty of time to think about how much easier it would have been to take the elevator. When he reached the roof, the sky had changed from being a mild blue to a stormy grey. Raven stood by the edge, still except for the wind rippling her cape. She appeared to be deep in thought. Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly turned to leave.

"Stay," whispered a small voice much different than the girl's normal monotone. In that one word, Aqualad heard a sad symphony of emotions – fear, insecurity, longing, and loneliness. He came closer, standing directly behind her. From that distance, he could she that she was trembling.

"What is it about the ocean that frightens you?" he asked.

With the clouds came wind, which created white-crested waves that crashed and dissolved against the island upon which the Tower was built.

"Its power to consume," the empath murmured, "If it took me, I couldn't fight it. Anything I tried against it would be futile. It would swallow me and never let me go. This, I fear, is my destiny."

"The ocean has power, yes," he conceded, "But so do you. You could be dangerous if you let your power go, untamed. But you aren't. The ocean can be controlled as well."

She turned to him, traces of tears evident on her face. "You can control it. I cannot."

"You don't have to control it," he smiled gently, "Only to understand it. Feel its rhythm; learn to flow with it, not struggle against it. When you know this, you will be free from your fear. It will be unable to consume you."

Fat raindrops fell from the sky, pelting the two Titans, oozing down their faces. Neither of them noticed.

"How can I understand something that is unfathomable?"

He took her hands in his and gazed into lavender eyes. "I'll show you."

"You won't let anything happen to me?" she asked, childlike.

"I promise."

Gently, he released her hands, but not before taking one to his lips and kissing it softly.

"It's getting cold out here, so we can start tomorrow. Come inside; I don't want anything to happen to you."

A stunned Raven followed Aqualad to the stairs. She could only think of one thing: He kissed me.