Chapter 9

The weekend arrived and none were more happy to see it arrive then Raven. She'd had nothing but hassle off Relena and Relena's friends every since she and Heero had said they were dating. Hotaru glanced at her as they left college on the Friday.

"Okay everyone but Heero into the jeep." Hotaru ordered, taking the jeep car keys off her cousin, who was too distracted to be bothered.

"Why everyone but him?" Duo asked as he sat in the back of the jeep.

"Because I'm trusting Heero with my car." Hotaru answered, "And with my cousin who really needs to get away somewhere for a few hours to chill. Any problems with that?"

The others shook their heads and settled into the jeep. Hotaru got in the drivers seat and handed Heero her car keys.

"Look after my car. As well as my Cousin." She told him, as he took the keys, "My advice is to take her somewhere peaceful. Mountainside or something. But make sure it's away from a populated area."

Heero nodded and stepped back away from the jeep. Hotaru drove off. Raven turned and faced him.

"Peacecraft is heading this way." She warned.

Heero pushed her round to the convertible, and helped her get in. He then got in the drivers seat. Once ready he drove off, not even looking at Peacecraft as she tried to catch his attention.

Raven was totally quiet as he drove through the town. As soon as they got on the open road, he noticed she relaxed more.

"Where do you fancy going?" He asked, "Was told to take you somewhere to chill. Hotaru did suggest a mountainside."

Raven smiled, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know a place." She answered, "Take the next right then carry on driving straight for seventeen miles."

Heero smiled and did as she said.

Evan looked surprised as Hotaru and the lads arrived back from college in the jeep.

"Where's your car Hotaru?" He asked.

"Heero has it." She answered, getting a cold drink, "He's taken Raven somewhere to chill out. Peacecraft has done nothing but hassle her, after finding out she's dating Heero."

"She'll need it." Evan sighed, "Guess I'll have to tell her about the architect when she gets back."

"Evan spill." Hotaru ordered, "We've all helped out with sorting it all out."

"He's back from his holiday and has agreed to come round here tomorrow to discuss the designs and everything with Raven. Leon rang and confirmed we were okay for it. He and Diego will also be here."

Hotaru nodded then left to head upstairs to her room. Trowa saw Wufei glance after her, then look away.

"Apart from Peacecraft's interference, how is college going for both of them?" Evan asked, pouring out cool drinks for the lads.

"I'd say their enjoying it." Quatre answered, "Certainly showing they know what their doing in all the classes their in with us."

Evan smiled, and handed out the drinks.

"Evan stop me if I'm wrong, but don't you think this trip Raven's been sent on with Heero is a little planned out." Duo said, "Taru seems a little pleased with herself."

"No doubt she'd got a picnic in the trunk of her car. As well as swimming gear in case they need it too." Evan replied, "Yes Duo, this is planned out. I know Hotaru too well for it not to be planned."

Quatre giggled behind his hand.

"Hotaru's forever helping Heero out." Trowa muttered, "He won't be allowed to be the emotionless Heero soon."

The others all started laughing. That was something that would be interesting to see.

Heero stared up at the mountain they were parked at the base of. There was a beautiful lake nearby with a few trees scattered about.

"Have you been here before?" He asked, looking over at Raven.

She smiled and moved round to the trunk of the car.

"I have been here a few times. To train with a Master. But he's on holiday at the moment. He fell ill and is on holiday recovering." She answered opening the trunk and looking inside, "I swear I'm going to kill Taru."

"What's wrong?" Heero asked alarmed, walking round to her.

Raven just pointed at the trunk. Heero looked. There inside the trunk was a basket with a picnic packed neatly in it. Next to it was two towel rolls, with a little note on top on them. The note was written in Hotaru's handwriting. It said: Just in case you need them.

"She planned this then." Heero muttered.

Raven just sighed and leant back against the car. Heero moved over to her, and wrapped his arms round her waist.

"It doesn't matter that she did plan this." He told her, "It gives us time away from college and from the others. No one here to bother us, or stop us from being together."

Raven put her arms round his neck.

"I guess if you put it that way, it is okay that she planned it." She smiled, "Would you care to have a picnic by the lake, since Hotaru has supplied us with everything we need."

"I'll carry the basket, if you'll grab the towel rolls." He replied, "It may be fun to have a swim later on."

Raven laughed. Both of them picked up the basket and towel rolls. Raven shut the trunk and then both of them wandered over to the lake to pick their spot.

Ten o'clock that night Reba raised his head from the floor. He'd heard a car. Then he heard the garage. Instantly he was on his feet running down the stairs and past a startled Quatre and Duo to get to the living room.

"I guess Raven is home finally." Quatre smiled, as he watched Reba run into the living room.

"Oh are they finally back." Hotaru said, walking out the library with Trowa and Wufei, "Been a long time really haven't they."

The lads laughed and all of them walked into the living room. There they found Raven sat with Heero on a sofa. Reba was laid across both of their laps. His head resting on Raven's arm.

"I take it he's comfortable with you dating his mistress then." Evan stated walking in, "Never has he laid on anyone but Raven."

Hotaru glanced round and spotted the picnic basket in the kitchen. She smiled and faced Raven again. Only to find an answering smile there. Hotaru raised an eyebrow at her. Raven winked at her, and nodded to the ceiling. Hotaru nodded at her. They'd talk later upstairs.

"So where have you been all this time?" Duo asked.

"Driving there, wandering round there, then driving back from there." Raven answered, stroking Reba's head.

"Where's there?" Duo questioned.

"The place we drove to." Heero replied, causing Hotaru and Evan to start laughing.

"You're not going to get a straight answer out of them, Duo." Quatre warned, "If they don't want to tell, they won't. And you don't actually need to know."

Duo was about to say something, when Raven's mobile went off. Reba raised his head, allowing Raven to get her phone and answer it.

"Hello! Yes this is she. … … Well no one else answers my phone. … … … … … I just got in would be a good reason. … … … … That's what the others are trying to work out. … … … … No I won't tell you. … … … No, I don't need to know that. … … … Quite sure. … … … … Why did you ring me? … … … … Like I said earlier I've just got in. … … … … … None of your business. … … … Tell me what you want, before I hang up. … … … … Don't test me, because I will do it. … … … … … … … … … I'm hanging up now… … … …"

Raven hung up the phone. She held it in her hand. It rang again after a few moments. She answered it again.

"Told you I'd hang up… … … Yes I knew it would be you ringing… … … I'm psychic that's why… … … … I saw your number… … … … it shows up as the person whose ringing you… … … … … Why did you ring me? … … … … … … … … … … … … … Fine I'll sort it out tomorrow… … … … First thing tomorrow. It will be my priority… … … … Have I ever let you down before? … … … … Exactly. Don't worry about it. See you tomorrow."

Raven hung up again.

"Evan remind me why I let people have my number on speed dial?" She sighed.

"So they can get in touch with you faster then having to search through their phone book." Evan said.

"Who was it?" Hotaru asked.

"Keith from the club." Raven answered, "Seems he's had a few more problems since I last saw him. Gonna have to head over there tomorrow, about tenish. Get it all straightened out."

"We have the architect coming round tomorrow." Evan remembered, "Leon and Diego are round as well."

"Great a busy day tomorrow." Raven muttered leaning back on the sofa.

"Need us out from under your feet?" Trowa asked.

Raven looked straight at him.

"Trowa this is as much my home as it is yours. Officially I'm the owner." She told him, "I still class it as all of ours home. So it's up to you what you do. You won't be in the way no matter what."

"It also means you can decorate and refurnish your rooms if you so wish." Hotaru added, "So long as you don't paint your room bright pink or any shade of pink for that matter. We don't care. They're your rooms. Do with them as you wish. Just remember though, that you keep your own rooms tidy."

"Quatre I would have thought you would have known this from the start." Raven smiled, "You knowing me better then the others."

Quatre grinned, "I did know it. But wasn't fully sure. I guess though I can change my room round the way I'm after then."

Raven nodded.

"Feel free." Hotaru smirked, "If you need any materials of any kind ask Evan. He has the best contacts for that."

Evan just shrugged.

"It's my job to know these things." He muttered, "Anyway I think we all need some sleep. I predict a long day tomorrow."

Everyone agreed. Reba leapt down off Raven and Heero allowing them to get up. They all then left the room and headed upstairs. Reba followed Raven.

Hotaru sneaked into Raven's room, just after everyone had come upstairs to bed.

"So Rave what did you get up to?" She asked sitting next to Reba on the bed.

Raven walked out the walk in wardrobe smiling, and untying her hair from the braid she'd had it in.

"We enjoyed the picnic you sorted out for us, and yes we did go for a swim." She answered, now sitting on the bed as well, "We also went for a stroll up the mountain."

"A stroll! That mountain is steep as hell." Hotaru argued, "What else did you do? Obviously you aren't gone that long just doing what you've told me."

"Hotaru stop prying." Raven replied, "It's not like I'm going to tell you every little thing we did and in detail."

Hotaru just grinned.

"I think I can guess." She said, "And I think your right. I don't want every little detail."

Reba nosed Raven's hand and she absently began stroking him.

"Rave I really hope you can just tune Peacecraft out, when we head back to college on Monday." Hotaru sighed, "I hate to see you getting tensed up like that. To be honest that's why I did what I did for you today. I snuck out before lunch and sorted it all out so it was in the trunk ready for when we left."

"And I'm grateful." Raven smirked, "I know a few ways to prevent Peacecraft from causing me to get tensed up. But I also know a few pranks. How is your level of magic, dear cousin?"

Hotaru stared at her.

"I'm almost done with the first cabinet, but I still can't read the books in the second one." She answered.

"Well as soon as you can read them, let me know." Raven told her, "I found an interesting book in there, containing nothing but pranks. It's in our Grandfather's handwriting. We can have a bit of fun with them."

Hotaru nodded, a sly smile creeping onto her face.

"I better get to bed." Hotaru yawned, getting off the bed, "Night Cuz."

"Night." Raven replied as she shut the door.

Raven then climbed under the covers and lay down. Reba curled up near her feet.