Chapter 7 -The Warmth of Fire
(Cyborg's PoV)
Raven's half siblings had gone back to Azarath only a day after they so suddenly appeared. I thought Rae would be sadder than she was. She was acting odd and so I watched her. I soon discovered the reason for her strangeness.
I'd never seen Rae in a skirt, so my eye must have been dinner plate size when she slipped out of her windowin one. It was dusky blue and knee length. Her shirt was the same blue. It had long sleeves with points that came down over her hands. On the front was a raven's silhouette. She also wore earrings, tiny amethysts and a choker with the same stones on the front.
"Um, Rae?"
She whirled around, pink mantling her cheeks.
"Isn't the logo a bit obvious?"
"I know, but these are the only nice clothes I have. Please don't tell Robin. He'll flip."
"First tell me who your date is."
"A guy I met at my favorite coffee place." She winced at the expression on my face.
"Raven, be careful. I care about you and I don't want to see you hurt by some guy. Do you have your communicator?"
"I never leave the tower without it."
"Good. Call me if something goes wrong. Understand?"
"Yes Cyborg, don't over do it."
"I'm not. You tell that guy that your big brother will pound him flatter than a pancake if he causes any problems."
She smiled. "I will. And Cy," She called back over her shoulder. "Thanks."
I watched Raven leave. Maybe this would be good for her. If she could find it in herself to go out with a guy, and a stranger at that, maybe it meant she was finally over Melchior. But this kid had better not pull anything. My threat was real. If he hurt her he'd wish that he'd never thought of asking Raven out. But it'd be too late for Rae's heart.
TS
(Terra's PoV)
"Beast Boy!" I laughed. "You know you can't afford Italian. Be sensible. I like all kinds of food."
"As a matter of fact I do have enough money to take us out for Italian. And besides, you deserve a treat."
I laughed again. We sat at a table for two in what was probably the most expensive restaurant in town. If Beast Boy hadn't been so set on Italian I would have refused to come. But it was a treat and BB didn't often have enough money to take a rat out on a decent date. He wasn't exactly thrifty.
A boy was brought in and set down at the table closest to us. He was probably the hottest guy I'd ever seen. Not that I'd trade Beast Boy for anyone. The kid wore nice black jeans and a gold t-shirt with a tiger's face created by black lines on the front. His eyes were amber and his hair was longish, shaggy, and black.
Beast Boy poked me. I looked at him to see his mouth dropped nearly to the floor. When I followed his gaze my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Raven was walking in. That wasn't the shocker though. She was wearing a skirt! And jewelry!
"R-" I cut BB off as he started to call out to Raven.
"Beast Boy," I whispered. "If Rae's not in uniform she obviously doesn't want everyone in the restaurant to know who she is. Let's listen to them talk."
The boy looked up and smiled as Raven sat down.
"Hey Rachel, I'm glad you came."
"I'm not exactly the type to just blow off a date."
"Sorry, I guess I wasn't too hopeful. The last girl I asked out didn't show up. I like your outfit."
Raven blushed. "Thanks"
"You like ravens? I've never met anyone with purple eyes before."
"Oh, yes, I like ravens. As for the eyes I've never met anyone else with purple eyes either, although I've read about several people with them. I guess they're kind of hard to miss. Your eyes are rather unusual too."
"Yes I suppose they are. You bear a remarkable resemblance to an acquaintance of mine. You know that?"
"No I didn't. Y-"
Raven stopped speaking abruptly when a waitress appeared. Neither had been looking at their menus. They asked for a few minutes to decide. As Raven looked over the entrees her date spoke.
"Go ahead and order whatever you like. I have a generous paycheck. By the way, Raven, what kind of movies do you like?"
Rae, somewhat lost in her own world, didn't see the trap.
"Hmmm? Oh, I like horror romance best but-"
She covered her mouth with a pale hand.
"Oh my gosh, that was bad wasn't it?"
"Yes I suppose so. Although it really depends on how you look at it. Don't worry, I won't tell."
"That's alright. I'll not tell on you either, Black Hawk."
Black Hawk smiled. "I knew you'd figure it out. Two heroes in disguise tricking each other; what a wonderful story that would make. Although I suppose the disguises would have to last longer. Do you know what you want to eat?"
Raven nodded. For the rest of the night the two talked of things teens normally discuss on first dates. They planned another meeting before they parted. Good for Rae.
Rae noticed us on the way out. She said nothing, just winked. BB and I had already promised not to tell. She obviously knew.
At the tower we said goodnight before heading off to our rooms. Cyborg stopped BB and I outside my door.
"She alright?"
"Yeah." I was slightly puzzled. "She's great. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. And no wonder. Her boyfriend is capital H-O-T."
Beast Boy smacked me playfully.
"Sorry BB. Hey, Cy, do you know anyone named Black Hawk?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"He's Rae's date."
"Well A-lad would flip, but I guess his being a hero is a good thing. Maybe it'll keep her from getting hurt. I'm glad she's happy. Night ya'll."