I know my other chapter sucked because of the entire lack of Bb/rae, but I hope this chapter will redeem myself, at least some.

It's time to put some of those fears to rest and take the plunge. (Okay, even I don't like what i just said)

ENJOY!!

'RAVEN'

Beastboy sighed and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He had been standing outside Raven's room for what seemed like hours, the image of her name on the door now forever imprinted in his mind. He took a step closer, the letters now becoming blurry and causing a slight headache to form behind his eyes. He looked down at his feet, then brought his hands out in front of his view.

He flexed his fingers, imagining the light green and slightly scarred hands that stayed hidden behind his silver gloves. He had never really hated himself for being different, yes it was difficult at times, but in many ways he considered himself luckier than most. His appearance, his powers, it had given him a new view on life, and it had blessed him with life itself. There were very few times when he could truly say that he hated how he was, but now was one of those times.

His flaws were always so transparent, no more hidden than the color of his skin. He was so far from perfect, he didn't even come close to being acceptable.

Raven was so much better than himself.

Nothing compared to her smile, the delicate frame of her face, the shine of her hair, or the softness of her lips. She was dark but beautiful, simple but complex, strong but gentle. Raven was Everything; and he was nothing.

Beastboy sighed.

Raven was far too smart to waste her time with someone who got their history facts off the back of the cereal box. Raven was too mature to be with someone who had to ask for help when trying to open a child-proof bottle of Tylenol.

He just wasn't good enough for her, and he was certain that she would come to realize this soon; If she hadn't already.

The feeling had returned again, the nagging in his stomach, and he felt like it had grown ten times worse. It was like he was falling, only there was no end in sight, just a void that went on forever. He was slightly aware that his breathing had picked up, and his hands were trembling anxiously.

He was having his doubts, that was certain, but no amount of anxiety or nervousness had ever made him react quite like this before.

The feeling kept getting stronger, and a cold sensation swept up his arms and legs before consuming his entire being. He wasn't even sure what was happening anymore, finding it hard to distinguish the hot and cold sensations tingling beneath his skin. His hands formed into tightly made fists, and his heart began pounding in his chest.

'What's...wrong with me?'

Deep down he sensed that growing urge, the pressure, so similar to what he had felt when sparring with Robin the day before. It didn't make sense now though, this feeling had not been provoked through battle or even inner dialog.

Swallowing down the lump in his throat he stepped away from Raven's door, feeling the need to run away, perhaps in an effort to escape his own self. Just as he was about act on this instinctive need, the door to Raven's room slid open.

His head shot up to meet Raven's gaze, her face held a slight note of surprise that switched instantly to questioning concern. He felt the battle within him begin to slowly ease, like letting the air out of a tire, his shoulders lowered and his breathing evened out.

This did nothing to take away Ravens intense stare, she stood within the reaches of her door without a single word being said and yet her eyes spoke volumes.

"Beastboy...?"

That was all it took for him to return from his momentary stupor, he grinned nervously and hid his hands behind his back.

"Um..Hey Rae," he replied, trying to sound casual. "Star said you were up here so I thought I'd come up here and...well..here I am."

"Something wrong?" she asked, completely aware that he was putting on an act.

Beastboy's smile faltered.

"Well...I was wondering if...I mean...I," He sighed, looking down for a moment in thought before turning his attention back to Raven.

"Do you really wanna go out with me?" he asked with a confused expression.

Raven looked at him strangely for a moment and then raised an eyebrow.

"Do you think I would have said yes, if I didn't?"

"Well...no...but," he looked down slightly, "I just thought you may have changed your mind."

Raven frowned. "Why?"

"Come on Rae," he whined slightly. "Do I really have to say it."
"Apparently, yes," she told him.

Beastboy looked off to the side, avoiding her gaze as much as he could.

"It's just that I'm not...and you're so...it.." He sighed again, "I mean...just look at me."

Raven blinked, briefly caught of guard by Beastboy's request. She opened her mouth to respond but stopped, and indulging in whatever it was that Beastboy was thinking she did as he asked.

Her eyes traveled up his body, and though recently she had found herself stealing glances at him, she had never had the opportunity to examine him so closely. He was barely half an inch taller than herself, his form was still small and lean, but years of Robin's strict training schedule had robbed him of his once weak looking limbs. With a slight blush Raven recalled having felt the ripple of muscles beneath his uniform during the kiss they had shared only a week before.

Her eyes finally found his face, dark green brows arched above captivating forest green eyes that were shadowed slightly from his gaze to the floor. The pensive frown that etched across his features made him look older than he was, but his face still retained its boyish features; messy dark green hair, a small fanged tooth sticking out from his lower lip, and pointed elf-like ears.

Somewhere inside her she wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair, or brush the side of his face with her hand. Another voice assured her that sometime soon she would do just that. For a moment she seemed lost in her own thoughts, almost not believing that she had just been inside her room overwhelmed with anxiety about the person in front of her. No, it wasn't Beastboy, it was the thought of going on a date that had scared her.

She blinked, storing away those thoughts for another time, a time when Beastboy wasn't standing in front of her with that saddened look on his face. She didn't need to pry into his mind to notice the insecurity around him, his hands were clenching nervously at his sides and his eyes were focusing steadily on the ground.

Raven frowned. Despite Beastboy's usual Bravo, she knew that he held a lot of insecurities about himself, but did he truly believe that he was ugly; or that she wouldn't want to be seen with him?

'I am looking,' she told herself. 'But does he have any idea what I see?'

She stepped forward, clearing the space between them as Beastboy prepared himself for rejection.

"Beastboy," she said, her voice was calm but not devoid of emotion. "Please look at me."

Hesitantly Beastboy complied, his eyes meeting hers, green staring into violet.

"I'm not sure what you were expecting," she told him, "But I have no intentions of breaking our date within a 24 hour Span."

Beastboy's facial expression went from surprised and hopeful to confused and unsure in less than a second, almost too afraid to make a positive assumption out of Raven's words.

"Does that mean you still wanna go out with me?" he asked with uncertainty, "Or that you want me to come back in a few hours and ask again?"

Raven rolled her eyes.

"It means," she began, looking back up at him with an almost unnoticeable blush, "That I think you look very...handsome."
Beastboy's face immediately turned red, his eyes widening in disbelief..

'Did she just say I was handsome?'

'He's so cute when he's blushing,' Love giggled, 'Bet he'd blush even more if you kissed him.'

Raven ignored 'loves' advice and stared expectantly at Beastboy, who had yet to collect his thoughts.

"I'm...uh...you...I," he stuttered out.

'Crap!' he mentally cursed himself. 'I'm back to incomplete sentences.'

He calmed himself and tried again, looking back at Raven incredulously.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"And why wouldn't I be?" she returned, starting to wonder if he was trying to get out of the date himself.

'Like we'd let him away with that' Bravery quipped.

"Uh...in case you haven't noticed Rae," he began, rubbing his upper arm in a self-conscience gesture, "I'm kinda...uh..green"

"Oh really," Raven stated in fake shock. "I hadn't noticed."

Beastboy blinked and his cheeks tinted red again.

"Okay, so it's obvious," he replied, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Raven sighed.

"Beastboy look at me," she stated, serious once again. "I'm pale, I have unnatural purple hair that I can't do a thing with, and my voice sounds like a croaking frog."

"No it doesn't," Beastboy immediately protested. "You're.."

Raven put a hand up to stop him and continued.

"I can best describe myself as plain, or in the words of a friend..," she looked him in the eye, "Creepy."

Beastboy felt himself shrink inside.

'Creepy?' he remembered. 'Did I really call her that back then?'

"Raven, you're not Creepy you're.."

"Different, I know," She nodded in confirmation.

"Beautiful." Beastboy firmly corrected her.

Raven felt her face get warm.

"And you're handsome," she told him again. "I guess Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Um..wasn't that on a movie or something?" Beastboy asked scratching his head, "It sounds familiar."

"No, I just made it up," Raven replied.

"Wow, you're good," Beastboy said looking impressed. "You should make greeting cards or something."

Raven chuckled softly at the remark, mostly because she knew Beastboy had believed her. Beastboy smiled back, loving the sound of Raven's laugh. 'Definitely not a croaking frog' he told himself.

"Anything else you'd like to tell me?" Raven asked, "While I'm still listening, that is."

"Uh..OH yeah!" he nodded. "It's about our date!"

"And?"

"Bet you're wondering what amazing night I have planned, huh?" He wiggled his eyebrows, slipping back into the confident demeanor that suited him so well.

"I'm all in suspense," Raven replied, managing to sound sarcastic despite the truth in her words.

Beastboy folded his arms over his chest looking proud.

"It's only the best restaurant in the city," he told her.

Raven looked at him disbelievingly.

"You can't be talking about the place I think you're talking about." she said.

"So am," Beastboy assured her.

"How?" she questioned, still suspicious. "You would've had to make reservations at least a month in advance, and I seriously doubt you've been planning this for that long."

Beastboy cracked his knuckles feeling like he had impressed her. "I've got connections," he said.

"Connections?" Raven repeated, "Let me guess, Cyborg, no...Robin, right?"

"Uh.." Beastboy blushed, "Well...they kinda found out and I wasn't sure where to take you and so.."

"They picked a place for us." she concluded folding her arms over her chest, and Beastboy nodded feeling panicked once again. He had almost forgotten that Raven had wanted to keep their date a secret.

"I know you told Star not to tell them, but Cy tricked me and it just kinda came out, and then Robin showed up and they were all 'So where are you talking her?' and I started to panic, and then Robin told me about the restaurant and Cy said it was the best and then I was like 'Yeah sure' and..and.." he paused looking pleadingly at Raven, "Please don't be mad Rae, I swear it was an accident."
Raven sighed and shook her head.

"I'm not mad at you Beastboy," she told him, and he visibly relaxed, "But be honest, do you really see yourself going to a place like this?"

Beastboy paused thoughtfully, trying to picture himself in a fancy restaurant.

"Well...uh...not really," he answered meekly, "But as long as you like it, then it's fine with me."

"Beastboy, I agreed to go out with you, not Cyborg and not Robin," Raven reminded him. "So where would you like to take me?"

Beastboy blinked and then smiled, feeling more relaxed by Raven's words.

"Well...I just thought we could go somewhere more private," He answered shyly, looking down and tapping his two index fingers together. "Maybe just to dinner and then afterward the park, if it's not too cold."

"That sounds nice," Raven replied with a soft expression. "I know a place a few blocks from here, they serve tea and if I remember correctly they have a vegetarian menu."

"Really!" Beastboy exclaimed, looking up at her. "Why haven't I heard of this place?"

"It's a small owned business, you have to look closely or you're bound to miss it," she explained. "Which means most people do. It's hardly ever crowded."

"Cool! so like...yeah that would be great!" he couldn't contain his excitement. "I can't wait!"

Raven silently agreed with him, she had been stressing over the date for the better part of the day, barely listening to Robin's comments when sorting through the villain's files and hardly touching her cup of tea at breakfast that morning. The thought of having to wait another night and then half of the day tomorrow just left more time for the anxiety to build up, and she wasn't sure if either of them could handle it.

"Why wait then," she found herself saying.

Beastboy blinked up in surprise.

"Uh...Really?" he asked, "Like right now?"

She jumped slightly when hearing Beastboy's voice, as if not realizing he was still there or she had said the thought out loud.

"Well...why not," she asked, deciding to go with it rather than backpedal on her mistake. "It's still early isn't it?"
"Uh.." Beastboy pulled out his communicator and pressed a button. "It's a little after six."

"We could fly there," She suggested, feeling more certain of the idea, "Then walk back through the park."
"It'll be dark." Beastboy stated.

Raven raised an eyebrow."Scared?"

"No," Beastboy quickly shook his head. "It sounds great, the sooner the better! You're absolutely sure though?"

"Absolutely." Raven nodded, "Just give me a few minutes to get ready, you might want to change too."

"Change?" Beastboy asked looking down at his uniform. "Is it formal or something?"

"No, it's freezing," Raven reminded him. "I'd at least put on a jacket."
"Oh right, I forgot," he admitted sheepishly. "I'll be right back, give me 5 minutes!"

Before she could say anything else Beastboy took off, leaving Raven contemplating what had just occurred.

Beastboy had come to her door asking if she was sure about their date, only to let her know that he had already told Robin and Cyborg, and then to boast about where he was going to take; which turned out to be a place neither of them would have been comfortable in. Next thing she knew they had decided on a place together and Beastboy had dashed away to get ready.

Raven smiled some, Beastboy was so...Beastboy. He could go through so many ranges of emotions at once, acting on impulse alone, and it was that kind of spontaneity that made him so likable. True, at one time she had found that characteristic in him to be quite annoying, but now she found it refreshingly honest and maybe even...charming?

'Beastboy charming?' she asked herself, 'Am I really ready to admit that?'

'Of course he is!' Love exclaimed, 'He's adorably charming, you know it's true! Besides, you already told him he was handsome.'

Raven turned back into her room, Sometimes her emotions could be too strong to ignore.

'Please don't let this be a disaster' she silently prayed, though to who, she wasn't sure.

"This is a disaster!" Beastboy yelled rummaging through his closet. "How can I have all these clothes and still have nothing to wear?!"

He pulled out another shirt from the messy pile and held it up to him.

"Too plain..." he held up another. "Too ugly.."

"Too fuzzy...too itchy...too blue!!"

Letting out a frustrated sigh he let himself fall forward onto the pile of clothes.Half the stuff in the pile wasn't even his size, and he silently cursed himself for not throwing them out after he had out grown his old uniform.

'Five minutes...yeah right' he mentally scoffed. 'More like 5 hours'

Pants weren't a problem, he had always bought them a size too big anyway; though the baggy look never did suit him, he still needed a shirt and a jacket.

He imagined showing up in front of Raven's door wearing what he had managed to find in his size; a pair of old blue jeans, a red and black striped short-sleeved shirt, and an ugly brown sweater.

'Aren't girls the ones who are suppose to worry about what they wear?' He asked himself. 'I bet Raven's already dressed, and looks beautiful too.'

Raven sighed, glancing at the three outfits she had laid on the bed in front of her. She had been more than a little distracted when her and Starfire had went to the mall, but after Starfire had asked her for the third time if 'everything was well' she had reluctantly confessed about her date with Beastboy. Starfire was thrilled, and exclaimed her joy in a tameranian folk song that had half the mall covering their ears and ducking for cover. After the shrill song had ended, much to Raven's relief, Starfire had insisted on helping pick out her clothes; with a few minor conditions of course.

Starfire's selection of clothing had surprised her though, nothing too colorful or girlie, and everything seemed comfortable and trendy. Of course, Starfire informed her of the magazines she'd been reading and had memorized all of the latest customary earth fads. Raven had to admit to herself that she was glad to have a friend like Starfire, not just for the 'girl talks'or the times when they sided against the boys, but because Starfire was a genuinely good person and always knew how to make things simple. She had even managed to make Raven feel less nervous about her on-coming date.

Still...

"It shouldn't be this hard," she told herself with a sigh.

All the out-fits were equally nice, but she couldn't help think that they would look ugly on her. Or plain.

'You heard what Beastboy said,' Raven reminded herself. "Not plain..Not creepy...Beautiful.'

She wanted to believe those words now more than ever as she picked up her first out-fit choice and proceeded to change.

Beastboy sighed, 'This is my only other option'

knock, knock.

"Um..Robin?" he asked from behind the closed door. "Could I talk to you for a sec?"

His request was met with silence. He cleared his throat.

"Robin? You in there?" he asked knocking again and then leaning his ear to the door, "Dude?"

The door slid open and Beastboy jumped back with a yell of surprise, barely managing to stop himself from falling.

"Sorry Beastboy," Robin apologized looking slightly startled himself. "I should have said I was coming."

"Dude, ya think!" Beastboy yelled. "You scared me half to death."

"Sorry," he quickly apologized. "But I do have good news."

"Let me guess," Beastboy said, a huge grin forming on his face. "You just saved a bunch of money on your car insurance."

"Uh..no, not exactly," Robin replied with an amused smile. "But good guess."

"Okay then, what's up?"

"It took a few phone calls but I got the reservations you wanted," Robin replied in a buisness like tone. "It's under the name 'Titans' and you go in around 6:30 tomorrow."

"Oh..uh.right," Beastboy smiled weakly, "About that.."

"What?" Robin asked his eyes narrowing behind his mask.

"Well, ya see," Beastboy began, putting his hand on the back of his neck. "Me and Raven were talking and we decided to go somewhere more private. Actually, we're about to leave in a few minutes."

"So I just wasted all that time for nothing," Robin asked, or rather stated.

"Well..." Beastboy looked around and spotted Starfire coming down the hall, he grinned and pulled her over toward them with a slight 'eepp' of surprise.

"I bet Star would like to go," he said.

Starfire looked between the two confused, "Might I inquire as to the place I may be going?"

"It's a restaurant Star, one of the best too." Beastboy told her. "Me and Raven were going to go but we made other plans. How 'bout it?"

"Could you simply not go another time?" Starfire asked, still slightly lost.

"Not to this place," Robin informed her. "It's hard to get into, and I just got reservations for tomorrow so-"

"Will you also be going to this place then, friend Robin?" Starfire asked interested, "I would not wish to venture in without an escort."

"Well...I..." Robin stumbled on his words and Beastboy stepped in front of him.

"That mean yes," he replied. "He'd love to go with you Star, right Robin?"

"Uh..I...yeah," he replied with a weak smile. "I'd love to Star."

"GREAT!" Beastboy exclaimed. "Then it's a date!"

Robin's eyes widened into saucers and Starfire looked over at him hopefully.

"Robin, is this true?" she asked, with wide searching eyes. "Do you wish to participate in the 'going out' with me?"

"Well I," Robin swallowed the lump in his throat and sighed, "Yes Star...I really would like that."

Starfire eyes lit up and Robin could hardly control his beating heart as she jumped forward, grabbed both his hands, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh Robin I am so excited," she exclaimed, pulling back to stare at him. "I have hoped for too long that you possessed the feelings for me, just as I have the feelings for you!"

Robin blushed madly and sent a strange questioning look at Beastboy, who simply smirked and mouthed the words 'I told you so'.

"I must hurry now and find something more fitting to wear for our date," she said joyously as she pulled away from Robin and disappeared quickly down the hall giggling.

Robin smiled to himself...Starfire had feelings for him. They were going on a date. He, He was going out with Starfire?

"Hello!!" Beastboy said, waving his hand in Robin's face.

Robin shook his head and turned toward his friend.

"It's about time you two got together," Beastboy grinned widely, "And to think I got to see it all happen!"

"Yeah, thanks by the way," Robin said with a slight smile, "Guess I owe you one now,"

"No problem," Beastboy grinned. "Just give me your clothes and we'll call it even."

"You want my clothes?" Robin asked with a disturbed look on his face.

"Dude! Not the clothes your wearing right now," he told him. "I need something to wear on my date and none of my street clothes look right, or fit right."

Robin sighed, letting the disturbed look slip from his face. 'Beastboy really needs to think things through before he talks' he told himself, but still, he did have a date with Starfire.

"Pleeeeease?" Beastboy begged, his hands cupped together as he got down on one knee, "I told Raven I'd only be five minutes. She probably thinks I'm dead by now and has already found another guy who probably has an entire closet full of out-fits that he bought with the money he earned from some high profile job and-"

"Okay fine," Robin agreed, cutting Beastboy's ranting short and allowing him to enter his room.

"Sweet!" he exclaimed running inside and immediately opening Robin's closet.

"Beastboy don't-"

"Whoa! Dude, how many capes do you need?!"

Robin sighed in irritation.

Raven sighed in dissatisfaction as she stared at her reflection in her mirror.

'I really needed to mediate more' she thought 'Even if I have a lot of my emotions under control, I haven't fully prepared myself for something as emotionally unnerving as a...date.'

'Don't chicken out now Rae, this is going to be so much fun!' happy told her.

'Knock 'em dead!' bravery cheered

'Beastboy's so cute' Love sighed.

Raven shook her head and worriedly looked down at herself as she sat at the edge of her bed.

'You look fine,' Knowledge informed her.

'Try not to over think things' Wisdom advised.

Knock, knock.

Raven jumped and looked over at her door, feeling more nervous than she had all day. This was it...she was actually going on a date with Beastboy.

'Maybe we should reconsider' timid suggested.

"Rae?" came Beastboy's voice from the other side of the door. "Sorry I'm late. You haven't already found another date, have you?"

His words did not hold the same insecurity as before, just a hint of worry and curiosity that some how managed to instantly take away Raven's pety fears.

She smiled slightly as she stood up and made her way toward the door; thank goodness Beastboy was so...Beastboy.

So very...close...to...date (twitches).

BLAH! Really hope you enjoyed reading this even though I probably should have held off a little longer. I've had the whole week off of school because of snow, so it got done quicker than I thought and I wanted to post it before I went to work today.

PLEASE REVIEW!!!