It was a busy night on the San Antonio Riverwalk, and the sweltering heat was not a deterrent for the throngs of people who walked along its cobblestone and brick paved walkways. There was a convention in town and all of the luxury hotels along the river were packed to the gills with conventioneers who were eager to spend their expense account money that evening at the many restaurants along the Paseo del Rio, as the Riverwalk was known in Spanish.

The sound of music filled the air, provided by a live Mariachi band that was entertaining diners at one of the many Mexican restaurants that lined the river. The crowds were so thick and lively that no one noticed the unusual couple that arrived. They were both wearing unitards and the female half of the couple had a long violet pony tail, but left her mask at home. They walked up to the podium at the restaurant's entrance and the harried hostess, a pretty Hispanic girl who was running back to her station at the podium after seating another party, almost didn't notice them, but did a double take when she did.

"We have reservations." The Atlantean informed her. "We're …"

"I know who you are. And I have your reservation right here, Mr. Aqualad. If you and Miss Raven follow me …"

"I'm not Raven." The sorceress interrupted.

The hostess did a second double take.

"Oh … I'm sorry … you look like her."

Rachel hesitated before replying. "That's because we're sisters. You can call me Raptor; I'm going to be leading the new Titans South team."

As she grabbed two menus the hostess blushed. "Of course, it was on the news today … anyway, I can see the resemblance, you're just as lovely as your sister, if not more. Now, if you'll please follow me."

The hostess led them to a table on a balcony that had a nice view of the river below. A sightseeing boat with tourists was passing by and some of the passengers recognized the two Titans and waved at them.

"Your server will be with you shortly. Enjoy your dinner." The hostess said before quickly disappearing back into the restaurant's main hall.

The celebrity couple settled into their seats and relaxed, while ignoring the furtive glances the other diners cast in their direction. They were both used to it and simply ignored them, knowing that the gawkers would soon become more interested in their food and forget about them.

"So, what do you think of San Antonio?" Garth opened the conversation.

"It feels exotic, like we're in Mexico … we … I mean the Titans have never been to Mexico, well except for Cyborg when he went looking for Pantha. Gar once suggested that the Titans take a vacation in Mexico, but it never happened. Raven doesn't like Spanish cultures for some reason … I don't know why … I know this isn't really Mexico, but I already love it."

Aqualad grinned. "I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but you're different from Raven, really different."

Rachel smiled back as she caressed his face. "I'll never get tired of hearing that … so tell me … how am I different from her?"

"I always thought Raven was cute, but you're just gorgeous."

"Don't stop, handsome." She continued smiling.

Aqualad snickered. "You have a great sense of humor and a beautiful smile to go with it."

She took his hand and squeezed it. "Garth … thanks … you have no idea how good that makes me feel. "

"There's no reason for you to hide in her shadow." He replied. "You're different."

A preteen girl interrupted them. "Excuse me, Miss Raven, could I have your autograph?"

Raven gave Garth a wistful look. "I guess I still look like her."

She turned to the autograph seeker.

"I'm sorry, dear, but I'm not Raven. Raven's back in Jump City."

The young girl looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Miss, it's just that you look just like her."

Rachel smiled. "That's because we're twins."

"You are!? Are you also a Teen Titan?"

Rachel grinned at the girl. "You bet I am, my name's Raptor. You probably didn't know Raven had a sister because I haven't gotten around a lot."

Rachel took her autograph book and signed it. As she did, it dawned on her that she had Raven's handwriting style too. One more thing to change.

"Thank you, Miss Raptor."

Rachel snickered. "Just call me Raptor."

As the girl ran off to show her parents her new prize, Aqualad placed a hand on Rachel's shoulder.

"Be patient, Rach, soon everyone in this city will know who Raptor is."

She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on the lips. He grinned back at her. "See, you're way different than her."

"I know, and there's more where that came from."

As the couple exchanged another kiss, Rachel saw Beast Boy in her mind's eye. And he was kissing another violet haired sorceress. She wavered for a moment.

"Rach? You OK?" Aqualad asked her.

"Yeah, I just haven't had anything to eat all day. Let's order something."

"Are you a vegetarian like Raven?"

She paused before replying. "No way, not at all. I don't share her religion. I love to eat meat … hmmm … Carnitas sounds good." She announced as she put her menu down. "I'm ready to order."

-( scene break )-

Starfire looked crestfallen. She fidgeted nervously with her fingers. "I am unsure that your advice will be effective, Cyborg. But I will do the try"

"Advice? You call that advice?" Raven howled

"What else can I do?"

"Let me talk with Robin first, Starfire. I'll explain everything to him and I guarantee that he will forgive you."

"Glorious! And I will talk with Beast Boy for you. You are so smart and intelligent, Raven."

"Yeah, that's why I insulted my brand new boyfriend. But I won't mess this up, I promise."

Starfire beamed. "And after I explain to Beast Boy that you truly love him, you can do the making up and celebrate with the coitus."

"Say what?" Raven asked in her deadpan. "Make up sex? That implies that we are having sex, which we aren't."

Cyborg listened in on their conversation from a safe distance in the kitchen, where he was wiping off the pizza Raven had just pelted over him. He briefly toyed with the idea of starting a pool for when they would eventually "do it", but quickly abandoned the idea as he knew Raven would kill him if she ever got wind of it. Plus there was a very real possibility that they might never consummate and no one would win the pool.

"I apologize, Raven, I just assumed that …"

"Please … don't assume anything. Now before this takes a turn for the worse, I'll go speak with Robin."

Raven abruptly turned around and marched out of the common room. The Tower's hallways were eerily quiet and her rubber soled footsteps make a strange squishing sound as she walked. Using her empathic senses she tracked Robin and as expected she found him in his office.

-( scene break )-

Robin was reading the latest FBI dossier on Slade, and as usual it contained useless, incorrect and obsolete information. As he sighed and tossed it onto his cluttered desk he heard a knock on the door. His first instinct was to not answer, since it was probably her. He didn't want to see Starfire at the moment but he also knew that as the team's leader he couldn't hide. Whoever was on the other side of the door might have a legitimate reason to see him.

"Come in." He shouted.

The door slid open and Raven glided into his room. He wasn't thrilled to see her, but at least she wasn't Starfire.

"What's up, Raven … have you apologized to Beast Boy yet?"

She frowned at her leader. "When I'm ready I will."

A slight smile appeared on Dick's face. So she did have a clue about what she did wrong.

"So what can I do for you?"

Raven stared at his messy desktop which was cluttered with papers, gadgets, clues and mementos, including one of Slade's old masks. Raven picked up the mask and examined it before restoring it back to its place.

"I've never asked you this before, but why is your office so messy? Your bedroom is nice and tidy but your office is almost as chaotic as Gar's room used to be."

"I don't know, I've never given it much thought, but I don't think you came here to criticize my messy office, did you?"

Raven shook her head. "No, of course not. I came here to discuss Starfire."

Robin heaved an unhappy groan.

"Just let it be, Raven. I'll get used to knowing that my fiancée likes Aqualad more than she likes me."

Raven sat down on a chair and sighed. "Robin, that was a stupid thing she did."

"You're guilty of the same crime, Raven."

She gave him an unhappy look. "You think that I don't know that? Yes, I was dismayed that Rachel is going out with Aqualad and I should have kept that to myself. I was stupid and I hurt Gar's feelings."

"Uh, shouldn't you be telling him that?"

"Like I said, I will. But I'm here to talk about Starfire."

"Then maybe you should start?" He teased her.

"Of course … Robin … you do know that she finds you attractive?"

"Maybe, but apparently I'm no Aqualad."

Raven sighed. "Don't do that, Robin. Yes, Garth is very handsome … I should know, every time talk with him I blush and ramble like a fan girl. He's one of those guys who … you know?"

Robin snickered, knowing where she was going. "This isn't working, Raven."

She heaved a frustrated sigh. "She doesn't love him, you idiot! She loves you! And right now she's terrified that you're going to cancel your engagement with her."

"What? Why would she think that?"

"Because she knows how much she hurt you."

"Then why isn't she here telling me this herself?"

Raven stood up and crossing her arms she began to pace around Robin's office, clearly looking uncomfortable.

"Cyborg told us to wait until you guys cooled off."

He gave her in inquiring look. "Really, is that all he said? No advice on how to make it with Beast Boy?"

Raven tensed up, looking extremely uncomfortable. "He said that if I had sex with Gar, that all would be forgiven and forgotten."

Robin burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" She growled at him.

Robin composed himself. "Sorry, I just can't imagine him telling you that."

"I was shocked as well … I mean …it's absurd. And Starfire agreed with him!"

"She did? cough I mean, of course it's absurd." He replied. Raven could tell through both his body language and his seeping emotions that he didn't think it was ridiculous at all.

Oh Azar, Cyborg was right.

"Anyway, I hope you understand that just because we find Garth to be attractive doesn't mean that we don't love our guys more than life itself."

"Thanks Raven, I do understand … and I think I'll go see Star and tell her that we're good."

"I'm happy to hear that." She replied as she left his office.

As the office door slid shut behind her, Raven fumed.

"I don't believe it … all she has to do is … and he's putty in her hands … that's no basis for a relationship. That's manipulation." She muttered to herself.

Raven recalled Beast Boy storming out of the common room, furious and upset with her. She sighed.

"Why do I always have to do things the hard way?" She grumbled as she walked back to her room.

-( scene break )-

Beast Boy stared at his reflection in the mirror in his room.

"Aughh! I'm a freak! No wonder she likes him more than me! Who wouldn't?"

He sat down on his lower bunk, sulking unhappily. "I'm green, have pointy ears and fangs … she even told me that herself, I'm such a …"

His negative litany was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It is I, Starfire."

Great, it's the president of the "We love Aqualad" fan club. Just what I needed.

"It's open." He shouted.

Starfire entered his abode. She looked around, almost looking surprised.

"Your room, it is … so clean."

He stood up and faced her. "I cleaned it up while I was with Rachel … so what's up, Star? You want to talk about Robin and how you hurt his feelings?"

"I am very aware of my horrible mistake, but I have not come here to talk about Robin. I am here to talk with you about Raven."

He turned away from her. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Oh, but there is much to talk about."

"Like what? Like how Aqualad is handsome and I'm an ugly freak?"

She shook her head. "Raven is most sorrowful that she has hurt you."

"Yeah, right. She's never sorry about anything."

"She is afraid to approach you tonight, so I have come to speak to you on her behalf. She acknowledges that she was being the stupid and insensitive. You are the most important person in the world to her, Beast Boy. You must forgive her."

"I forgive her, Star … but … I'm still hurt. And … I understand why she likes him more …"

"She does not like him more than you, not even close. You are her heart mate, do not forget that." She corrected him in a stern voice. "But perhaps you should go to see her and do the reconciliation."

"Where is she?"

"She is speaking to Robin on my behalf. Raven was insensitive, Beast Boy. But I was the klorbag varblernelk. I actually told Robin that Aqualad is more handsome … I am so worried Beast Boy, I fear that he will break off our engagement."

Beast Boy laughed. "Break off your engagement? I don't think so … Star … he's crazy about you, you have nothing to worry about … look, just go tell him you're sorry. He'll forgive you right away, you'll see."

She hugged him. "And you will forgive Raven and everything will be wonderful again. Thank you, friend."

Starfire took off, obviously heading off to see Robin. Beast Boy smiled.

"Them break up? That ain't gonna happen."

His thoughts quickly switched to Raven, and suddenly recalled her words:

Do you really know what you're getting into?

She had warned him that she would be difficult. And he knew that. Perhaps if it had been someone other than the Atlantean, it wouldn't have been so bothersome and it might not have affected him so much.

Oh, grow up, BB. He castigated himself.

The door was knocked on a second time. "Come in."

The door slid open. Raven stood at the entrance, looking as if she was about to cry.

"Gar, I so, so sorry." Her voice warbled.

He pounced on his girlfriend, wrapping his arms around her. She reciprocated.

"It's OK, Rave, I overreacted."

"I'm such an idiot." She replied. "Gar, you know that I don't love him, right?"

He pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back with a fiery passion.

"I know, Rave, I know."

"I want to make it up to you … I want to stay with you tonight … just sleep … no … physical intimacy."

"I'd like that, I'd like that a lot."

They continued kissing.

-( scene break )-

Raptor leaned back into her seat in the riverboat. The meal had been delicious; the Mexican pork dish was cooked to perfection. Even though there wasn't an empty seat in the boat and their fellow passengers were pestering them for autographs she was enjoying herself. Aqualad had turned out to be the perfect date, it was a real shame that he would be returning to Steele City by the end of the week. She even toyed with the idea of suggesting that he transfer to the San Antonio team. Of course, being that San Antonio was inland that was pretty much out of the question. She knew that he had to be near the ocean or he'd go crazy.

"I'm having a wonderful, Garth."

He smiled at her. "Me too. I haven't been on a date in years, not since my girlfriend Tula broke up with me."

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

"She dumped me for my then best friend, Kaldur'ahm. That was before I became a Titan, I've never told anyone about her."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Garth. If it's any consolation, I think I understand how you feel."

He nodded. "Bumblebee told us about you and Beast Boy. I'm sorry."

She shrugged. "That's in the past. I'm more interested in the present now." She smiled at him.

He smiled back at her. "I couldn't agree with you more."

"Maybe you could take me to Atlantis some day, I just leaned a spell that will temporarily grow gills on my neck and …"

"RACHEL! DUCK!"

Aqualad tackled her as a bullet whizzed past them. Rachel instinctively raised her arms and her bubble covered the entire barge, and just in time as a second bullet ricocheted off of her dark shield.

People on the river banks screamed in terror as they searched in vain for cover, running in all directions.

"A sniper!?" She shrieked. "Here, on the Riverwalk?"

Aqualad searched for the gunman, who was no longer at his perch in a hotel room, where he saw him by mere chance. "He's gone."

Rachel scowled. "If the drug gangs think they can take me out that easily, I've got some bad news for them!"

"Maybe we should leave; we're endangering everyone else here with our presence." He suggested.

She formed one of her dark flying disks and they headed back to the Tower, while the pandemonium below continued.

"Nothing like this ever happened in Jump City." She remarked unhappily.

"That's because Robin's team doesn't deal with the drug gangs, they leave that to the police. This is going to be a different ball game, Rach. Jump isn't a drug distribution hub, but San Antonio is. They're sending us a message; they want us to back off."

Raptor frowned. "I have a message for them. And they're not gonna like it one bit."

-( scene break )-

If you're unfamiliar with the San Antonio Riverwalk, just look up images for it on google. It's really nice.

Also, notice how I reversed Garth and Kaldur's roles in this story. In the Young Justice show, Kaldur is Aqualad and Garth steals Tula from him.

And now, the mail bag!

Hairul The Nightrage Beast

Time for Robin to turn to Nightwing for Part 2.

Not a bad idea.

The Cretin

(shakes head)...Girls, ya gotta be careful when commenting on yer man's looks. They may feign disinterest but many times...its just for show. They're more interested in how they look than they let on.

Great chap. As I'm only beginning to learn Spanish, some parts were a little hard to get a hold on but I figured it out. I like how this chap seems to calm yet if I know you, that MMA class twist you're so good at is comin for a second bout. Can't wait. Sorry I had to play catch up. Hope to read more soon. Keep rockin

Whenever I post stuff in Spanish, I'll drop hints as to what is being said. Like when Bumblebee said that neither of them saw her first (they were arguing about that)

titanfan45

Starfire and Raven not realising just how insensitive their remarks were was hilarious. Cyborg ending up wearing a pizza suit was funny as well. Raptor seems like a natural to run the Titans South, no doubt she is going to have her choice of male companions. Wonder if Raven will find herself to be jealous of Raptor's ability to quickly fit in and make friends?

I think that girls sometimes forget that they can be insensitive too.

Katwizzle

I cant wait for the next chapter!

And here it is!

Avandra the Mary Sue Slayer

Really nice finale! Both Raven and Starfire sure behave like guys sometimes... but it's also true that they're not always the insensitive ones!

Rachel's new life couldn't have a better beginning. But who will Terra be paired with now if she appears in the sequel? The poor girl deserves some love, too! By the way, I loved El Trompetista. Talk about great ideas for an OC!

I'm sure you'll do fine with the sequel. I'll be waiting for it! In the meantime, I'll resume the reading of your older stories, so you'll be hearing from me again!

Thanks! I threw Freddy in for good measure, the team needs some muscle and he has plenty of that. He's easily stronger than Starfire and Cyborg combined.

blueyzangel

NICE! :-D

Thanks!

Rosalind du Coudray

Hahahaha I loved this chapter! This was a great way to end the story and start the sequel! Can't wait to read the next one!

And Slade is still lurking in the background.

Titan18Gamble

Hilarious. One minor problem, though. Rachel got over Beast Boy way too quickly.

She isn't completely over him. Not yet.

WhovianTitanPotter

Whoooo! Fantastic chapter!

Thanks

Pureawsomeness123

Ahhhhh that was an awesome way to kick off Part 2! Im just wondering if its gonna work out between Aqualad and Raptor! Im still wondering what slade is planning though ...

Patience, grasshopper, all will be revealed soon enough.

MelonLord28

That was quick. Also, if anyone forwards you any Raptor fan-art, request you share the love.

There is a possibility of that. I will provide links.