Thanks to titanfan 45, Black Raven 13, Anna Nicole Smith, and sinomin for the wonderful reviews! I'm sorry this took so long to put up. Stupid writer's block. Well, at least I got off a one shot. Now… ready for some shopping?
"Remind me why we walked," Garfield asked his girlfriend. "I could have driven that car, Rachel."
"And crash it like you did the T-Car? Not a chance! I don't want to die anytime soon, Garfield."
"The only reason I crashed was because Cyborg was screaming like crazy. Besides, I was only going 75," he stated proudly.
"In a 50 M.P.H. zone! I still can't believe you didn't get arrested. Not to mention Cyborg wouldn't let you ride in the T-Car for three months! Even now he's..." but her voice trailed off, turning into a whisper, "he's on the other side of the country. I miss him, Gar. He's like the big brother I never had." The first Christmas when the Titans were split since the team formed years ago. She had thought that she'd just forget the rest of the team when they left. But old memories are hard to suppress.
Seeing his girlfriend was troubled, Garfield wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her lips. "Shh, I miss him too sweetie. He was like the brother I never had too. Everything is going to be alright, I promise." When Rachel didn't stop crying, he whispered. gently, "stop crying, Rachel, I'm here for you, forever and always." She stopped crying after this, and he kept on holding her.
"Let's go Garfield, we've got to get some shopping done." Reluctantly, her boyfriend let go, but not before bestowing upon his love a long, passionate kiss. I have the greatest boyfriend in the universe! How'd I ever get so lucky? Raven wondered. He always knew how to make her feel better, no matter what. When she was young and naive, Raven believed that she was destined never to love, never to be loved, except by her mother. Even then, Raven felt saddened by the fact she could never experience love. Love experienced by couples she'd see in Azarath. Holding hands, kissing, enjoying time with their soul mate. If Raven's mother could see her now, she'd be pleased. Arella knew her daughter was different, for her father was Trigon, the evilest creature in history. A demon so vile, he made Lord Satanus look like an angel. At birth, it was prophesized that Raven would be the portal her father could use to take over the Earth. All her life, Raven lived in fear of that day when she would inevitably unleash her father upon the Earth. When that day came, she tried to make the Titans' final day perfect, but they ended up figuring out what was happening. Before becoming the portal, Raven bestowed upon her friends some of her powers, so that they might combat Trigon and stand a chance of winning. Raven had thought it futile, but after spending nearly four years with the Titans, hope had filled her heart. The Titans had faced impossible odds before, and come out on top. They were more than friends; they were a family. When her family fought Trigon, they nearly died. Raven miraculously sustained some of her Trigon's power and used it to obliterate him once and for all. And as he died, Raven could feel his influence over her fade into nothingness. Raven smiled as she remembered the victory party afterwards that lasted for three whole days. The result of said party was Raven receiving her first kiss.
Flashback
Third day of partying. Clear, sunny skies, and no villains had showed up since Trigon. Of course, Robin was worried about Slade, albeit his paranoia had long since vanished. Beast Boy had been telling, for once, good jokes. Raven was engaged in a great game of Uno with Starfire and Robin, both of whom were laughing their asses off as yet another random card was played. Uno was actually fun. Cyborg was beating Beast Boy at Universal Brawl on the Gamestation. The fear of Trigon long since passed, Raven was enjoying herself. When the game ended, Starfire and Robin played Monopoly, and Raven went over to watch Cyborg whoop Beast Boy's butt. At least that's what she said. In truth, she just gazed at her crush, the resident shape-shifter. Despite his annoying jokes, some of which she secretly laughed at, his debates with Cyborg about tofu and meat, and the fact he kept on interrupting her meditation, she found him attractive. Unbelievable as it were, the "Gothic Goddess" as she had once been called, had a crush on the changeling. "Hey, Rae-ven," Beast Boy said, "you wanna play?" holding out a controller. Nodding silently, Raven took the controller from Beast Boy's hand. "The combat style's like Super Smash Bros. You ever play that," he asked, receiving a nod in reply. "Some people say this is a cheap rip off, but I think it's much better. Characters from all over the gaming world." Raven looked at the cast of characters. Over 180 characters to choose from. Looking at the cast, she chose someone called Freya, from the game War Gods II: the Asgardian Trials. Beast Boy had chosen someone name Skarin, Cyborg had chosen Master Chief, and the computer was set to Altair. The level was Valhalla. It featured a grand hall, with spears for pillars and golden shields for the roof and walls. In the background, Norse warriors duked it out, till the level changed to night, when they would go into the great hall. Sounds of feasting could be heard. During one of these feasting times, Raven sent the Master Chief flying through one of Valhalla's doors. Instantly, the computer AI dining in the hall descended upon the Chief, sending him flying off screen. Cyborg glared at Raven, who smiled triumphantly. The smile was wiped from her face as Skarin unleashed a torrent of lightning at her. Freya was sent flying into one of the pillars, which collapsed, bringing a shield down on her. Skaring finished her off with a combo. Instead of flying into the background, however, Raven's character hit the screen, then fell slowly. Once Freya was revived, Raven focused on Skarin. Completely forgetting that Cyborg and Altair were in, she charged full force. She was going to end Skarin forever, "Die!" Raven yelled, mashing every single button so much that the boys thought the controller would break. Pulling off a 25 hit combo, Raven finished by picking up the shield that had fallen earlier and threw it like a discus. Needless to say, Skarin went crashing through a wall and offscreen.
"Friends," Starfire said cheerfully, "who wants to play spin the b-"
"Rachel!"
End Flashback
Rachel awoke from her daydream as Garfield yelled her name. Strangely, nobody seemed to notice, or care. She looked at him, wondering why he looked so worried. "Dude, I've been trying to get your attention for twenty minutes! Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Now let's," but she stopped, noticing that they were already there. "Never mind. Let's get the decorations." Rachel walked inside, humming Deck the Halls. Garfield just sighed and followed her. The store was full of people getting Christmas cards, lights, presents. Raven wandered about, eyes scanning for some colorful decorations. Garfield pushed along a cart, hoping they wouldn't need it.
Coming upon the decoration department, Rachel and Garfield could feel their jaws drop to the floor. This place had the most beautiful lights ever. "Let's get this," Rachel said excitedly, pulling a pack of red, green, and gold lights with blue wiring. Putting the lights in the cart, Raven continued down the aisle, grabbing different lights and decorations. Steel City was known for having the best Christmas lights in the states. Flashes of red, green, gold, and the occasional rainbow lighted up. Neon blue was a new color, as well dark purple. Any color you could think of, and, most likely, Amazin Colors would have it. Rachel also picked out some bulbs, cookie cutters, and two rather long pair of stockings.
"Look at this, Rae!" Garfield said excitedly. He pointed to a stream of lights. What was unique was that this had dark purple and green lights, with purple and green wiring.
"Beautiful," Rachel whispered before yanking it off the shelf and placing it in the kart. She proceeded down the aisle, when a girl bumped into her. "Sorry," she gasped, "..Terra." The girl looked at her quizzically before walking off. Looking back at Garfield, she sees him with a confused look.
"Was that who I thought it was?" he asked. Rachel nodded and quickly headed to the check-out line. What they didn't notice was that 'Terra' was watching them. She then dashed out of the store.
On the outskirts of town, a man clad in what looked to be a cross between Viking and Tamaranian armor stood, left arm behind his back holding a saber-staff. Silently, he watched a young couple walk into their apartment complex with loads of bags. Apparently, the boy had offered to carry them all, seeing that the girl had her hands free. "Is it her?" he asked, hearing the footsteps behind him.
"Yes," Terra replied, "but, as you well know, her appearance has changed. Same with him," she growled, old memories passing through her head. The man nodded silently and Terra left. He stayed at the outskirts for a while, eyes closed in thought.