Waterbird

*~`4~*

When Raven awakens she feels much better. Not weak like before. If there were a marathon for deep sea swimmers she thinks she could race in it and maybe even win despite her lack of experience. She stretches before pulling herself up out of the shallow pool and sitting on the edge of it.

"You look rested."

Raven looks over her shoulder to see Aqualad approaching her. "Best sleep I have ever gotten. I feel so much better now."

"That's good to hear." Or is it he wonders. They don't yet know exactly what sort of chemicals it was that got into Raven's system during the mutation process and how they are going to affect her. He holds out a bowl of steaming liquid. "Tram made some of his famous Kelp stew. It may not sound very appetizing but once you can telepathically talk to a fish its impossible to eat seafood."

"I never liked seafood anyway." She takes the bowl as Aqualad sits down beside her. Raven lets it cool for a little bit before tasting it. "Wow! I swear this is better than pizza."

Aqualad looks back toward Tram. "Hear that?"

Tram mutters in his language before he jumps up. "Booyah!"

Raven smiles as she looks back at Tram.

"No one from the surface world has ever said that about his cooking."

"Do you get a lot of visitors from the surface?"

"Beast Boy drops by every now and then."

Raven sits down the bowl as she finishes eating. "I didn't get to thank you both for saving me form Trident."

Tram mutters some more in his language.

"We were just doing our job." Aqualad pauses for a few moments. "Feeling up for a little swim?"

"Sure, but I've never swam before."

"Don't worry. I'll help you get the hang of it." Aqualad stands up. "I know the perfect place nearby, you're going to love it." He picks up Raven and carries her over to the sea cave's entrance.

*~`'~*

Aqualad watches Raven amused as she swims about so carefree. Loops, corkscrews, twists, and twirls she almost seems to be dancing in the water with her moves. He should scold her into being more careful but he just can't bring himself to do it. Right now she exudes happiness and he can tell that is something she has never done before and he can't bring himself to interfere with it.

Raven stops looking back at him. "What?"

"Beast Boy was right, that look really suits you."

Despite the coolness of the water, Raven is sure that she is blushing.

"Are you sure that you've never swam before?"

"I've never been in anything bigger than a bath tub."

"You look like a pro."

Raven swims along as a group of dolphins join them.

Aqualad hangs back watching as they all seem to be performing some complex underwater ballet together.

Other sea creatures nearby even stop to look at Raven as they have never seen anything like her before.

Raven easily charms them all as she passes.

After the dolphins continue on their way, Aqualad leads Raven to a coral reef near Atlantis.

"Its beautiful!"

Aqualad thinks that nothing is as beautiful as Raven right now, but he keeps that thought to himself.

Raven hangs back just watching the fish and other sea creatures on the reef for awhile but soon she ventures closer.

He smiles watching as the fish swim around Raven. Aqualad thinks she looks very relaxed and at home here under the sea.

She laughs in delight as a tiny seahorse curls around her little finger. Raven feels like she has finally found the place she was always meant to be.