And so, here is chapter two. Please, read and review.

Her hand resting in his excited him. For being the strongest person he knew she had such petite features, like her hand. It was so small and firm and yet, so delicate. Just holding it made him feel strong and needed. He couldn't explain it, but all he wanted to do was take Raven's hand and rub it across his cheeks, allow it to feather over his lips and maybe even place a few kisses on it. He didn't even know where that thought could have come from, but even with all the confusion from it, he couldn't make his hand release hers. Something about holding her hand made him feel a strong sense of calm. And then something amazing happened.

She squeezed his hand.

It sent a blood-filled rush through him and he could feel it warm his cheeks. And for some reason, his heart fluttered. It wasn't just a flutter, it was a wild, irregular heart beat that made him worry he was coming down with a heart condition. While he was focused on that, the Beast was purring from the squeeze and just the general closeness to Raven.

It was just enough for him that she was touching him, until she pulled her hand away.

A feeling of emptiness washed over him and he felt himself get aggravated. All he wanted to do was reach out and snatch her hand back in his grip. He could do it too, if his host was fully distracted as the changeling was now, so focused on the obvious meaning of a heart flutter. But he had to limit his control. His host was strong and could easily take his body back, unless the Beast really wanted total control. Fighting for the body when there was no reward except for a bit of freedom and a deep drainage of power wasn't really his style unless it was important.

Holding Raven's hand was right near the top of his important list.

With slow concentration and his focusing on the changeling's distraction, he began taking over the still extended arm. His control grew as he flexed the hand and allowed the claws to extend. He shot the hand out, ready to grab Raven's retreating appendage when his host awoke from his daze and used his other hand to slam the Beast controlled arm against the table. And the Beast was so close too.

On the other hand, the Changeling was having a mini freak-out. The sound of him slamming his arm against the table vibrated throughout the bookstore and caused the other patrons to look at him. With them leaving in such a dangerous city, he could understand why the citizens were so jumpy, but their constant staring was starting to get to him. Even Raven's arched brow stare was making him feel nervous. And what was his lame excuse?

"There was, uh, a fly…on the back…of my hand."

No wonder people questioned his intelligence. But Raven said nothing about it, the reason probably being that she was use to him and his antics. He was just glad that she had sat her book down and was giving her undivided attention to him. And he made sure that he gave his own back to her. Even as she got a refill on her tea and he had gone to get himself a snack, he never waived his attention from her. It was nice, especially when he noticed her enchanting scent. It had a whiff of vanilla, a sprinkle of lavender, and a hint of tea mixed in with just her.

It was so intoxicating.

He didn't realize he was leaning into it until his nose was tickling her neck. When he realized that he was sniffing her he was about to yank his whole being away from her and sprout out an assortment of apologizes when he realized something: Raven hadn't tossed him clear across the bookstore.

There was that irregular heartbeat again.

Nose still on her neck, he looked up at her, worried he might had did something wrong. The blush from earlier dusted her cheeks once again and he made sure to commit that to memory. He wanted to bury his nose into her neck. He wanted to wrap his arms around her waist and snuggle her body closer to his. He wanted to rake his claws down her neck in feather-like caresses. He wanted to run his tongue along the base of her neck. He wanted to make that blush brighter, her breath shorter, and her heartbeat faster. He wanted to do all of this because she smelled so fucking amazing.

"Changeling."

He shot back so fast he heard his neck pop and he was sure he had whiplash. He was so worried. Was she going to kill him? No, that would be too much paperwork, and Raven isn't like that. Would she send him to another dimension? She had the means to and she threatens it very often, but then she would have to explain to Nightwing why he was missing and he knew she hated his lectures. Maybe she was going to throw him through the bookstore window. She has no problem throwing him from the tower, what was the difference in windows. But then it was like the killing and dimension reason put together: too much paperwork and a lecture from their leader. Even he considered that too much.

But he was really focused on his sudden desire to touch her.

Where had those thoughts even came from? All he could conclude was the Beast was trying to control him again, play with his mind. He was so sure of this, until he heard the deep, gravelly laugh resonate in his chest. He was more than ready to confront the Beast when a laugh was replaced by an animalistic growl.

"Pay Attention!"

A hand touched his shoulder and he about near had a heart attack. He followed the hand up to the worried face of Raven. Maybe to the average, everyday citizens she was still showing her emotionless, deadpanned look, but he could tell. One of her eyebrows dropped just a little, her eyes were slightly wider and there was a small frown across her lips that threatened to become a pout.

He wanted to suck on that pout.

"I was asking are you okay, but judging from your lack of attention, I am going to assume that you are just being you again."

She picked up her book as she stood up and pushed in her chair and began walking away. He just watched her. He couldn't explain it, but he felt as if he had disappointed her, somehow. Slumping into his seat, he ran his claws through his hair. He just…he couldn't…

"Changeling."

He swears he's going to get permanent whiplash at this rate, but when his eyes connected with hers, he knew the pain would be worth it. She was holding a hand out for him, waiting for him to follow. There was just the faintest of smiles on her lips and he felt his inner tail begin to wag.

"Come on. Let's get home."

He didn't have to be told twice. He shot out of his chair, racing to catch up to her as she walked out of the store.

"I promise you, Raven; tomorrow will be one of your best days you can ask for."

He stilled as he felt her wonderful fingers run through the front of his hair and he damn near purred.

"Do not disappoint, Changeling."

He was so lost in the petting; the Beast rose to the surface, smirking as he pushed up against the hand.

"Never."

So, here is my latest chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Please leave me a review and I shall see you for chapter 3!