Hello everyone this is nekotenshi-hime with another update. Sorry it took so long! I kind of got distracted and I had a hard time trying to figure out what I was going to write about later. It is a little frustrating to have future events in your head for a story but you have current events to get through first... if you know what i mean. Anyway, I'm updating two chapters this early morning. Hope you all enjoy and leave a review if you want. Thanks again nekotenshi!

Chapter 22: Bonds

"Raven how long, are you going to ignore me?" Beast boy stood in Raven's doorway as he had countless times in the past few weeks or was it months?

"Shut up Beast Boy can't you see I'm trying to meditate?" Raven continued to chant and center her mind or whatever she did in her room. Beast Boy growled.

He turned away dragging his nails across the wall. Raven opened one eye to see that his nails were leaving thin slashes afterwards. Why did Raven have to play with his feelings so much? So what that it had been close to four months since they first starting fighting the Brotherhood of Evil and no one had seen Robin since? Who cared if Starfire cried herself to sleep every night missing him? Obviously not miss I-want-to-be-alone all the time.

"I tried everything I could to be friendly. I even asked to go that darned café she likes so much. It was not a date! It was a lunch! I remember that asking a girl too many times in the same week was bad. I took her to that herbal tea shop. Why now?" Beast boy walked into his room and stared at the clean room. He wanted to surprise Raven with a present. A special book she had been waiting to read forever, a spell book for advanced magic users, and she should be overjoyed, right?

The past week all she had done was blame him for everything. No matter how big or small a detail it was. Now all he wanted to do was tear a rabbit into bite size pieces and eat it. Which did not make any sense- Beast Boy is a vegetarian.

"And who am I talking to? It doesn't matter. I just wish I knew what she was thinking. Raven you're driving me crazy!"

Little did Beast Boy know but Raven was trying to make up for her sour mood. She leaned her head on the door and listened in silent grief and guilt as her friend ranted in angry snarling tones. She knew she was being a jerk, but she could not help it. Not with what was coming soon. Raven shuddered at the thought of him. Unfortunate for her the shudder activated the motion sensor and the door opened. Raven gasped at the sight.

The walls were covered in slashes and holes. A torn punching bag laid in the corner, the stuffing scattered all over the floor. The carpet also had tears with deep gouges that made Raven trip and stumble into the bed. She was surprised to learn that where the bunk bed had stood, now there was a twin sized mattress and head board with little dark blue birds and green cats running underneath them against a light brown background. From what Raven could see of the closet all the clothes were hanging up, the toys or action figures as he called them were displayed on a shelf over the clothes.

"I have never seen this room so clean."

"Oh look the dark princess has decided to grace her low subject with her opinion. I shall sing a great song for the joy and wonder of such a moment."

"Beast Boy, are you being sarcastic?"

"Oh no Rae not with you, my sweet dove. I love to share my feelings and pour my heart out to you only for you to ignore me later."

"I am…" Beast Boy stepped up to Raven. He gripped her by her shoulders and pushed her down until she was on her knees. A menacing snarl shook his arms and chest when Raven did not stay on her knees. He snarled louder pushing her onto the bed and held her down by keeping her legs in-between his and using his hands to grip her shoulders. Raven did not like where this was going.

"I am so sick and tired of you ignoring me girl. I don't care if you are a half-breed like me. You have no right to throw me away, treat me as if I was the most disgusting thing on earth, all the while stringing this pack-male's body and heart along. Do you care for no one? Are you that threatened by your father? Answer me!"

Raven had no idea who was talking. The voice sounded like Beast Boy's but more twisted, fierce and more, well animalistic than anything. He was squeezing on her shoulders more. What did he want her to say? Raven felt familiar anger and denial rise in her. How dare Beast Boy or whoever this was demand answers of her? She had not done anything wrong. She was about to snap at him with her powers when the boy pulled aside the cloak and revealed her bare shoulder.

She felt his hot breath and gasped as fangs brushed her skin. Then she remembered the little things she had done over the past few months. One minute she was laughing with him at a café the next she wanted nothing to do with him? No wonder he was so confused! If her instincts were right this was Beast Boy's "X", so to speak, and she better choose her words carefully otherwise things would happen that neither of them would want.

"I am sorry Beast Boy. I never meant to hurt you. I just had to deal with some mental issues that may or may not have included my father. You know I have issues with him. He would not leave me alone. I couldn't take the risk of him finding out I care for you. You have no idea what he will do to you when he finds out. I am truly sorry. Can you please forgive me?"

"If I wanted to believe you were telling the truth just now I could say yes. Sadly I do not believe you little dark angel. You are your father's daughter after all. If he is such a monster then surely you don't take after your mother. Now what is the real reason you played games with his body?"

"I'm not lying! Garfield, please you have to believe me! I'm not lying to you! If he finds out I l-"

"You what" Beast asked.

"I l-"

"You what" Beast Boy snarled into her ear. She felt the muscles straining in his arms and legs as he held her down. Why couldn't he understand that with a father like hers there could be no normal relationship? How badly would her friends get hurt trying to save her? The thought made Raven want to curl in a ball and never leave her room. Here and now, with a near feral Beast Boy demanding an answer she could not give, what was she supposed to say?

"Stop it! I can't answer that not now!"

"So the one time I give you to answer and you refuse? How many times has he tried to open up to you and you shot him down every time? I will not understand why he chooses you for a mate. There are certainly more desirable, less aggressive, and less emotional females to choose from, yet he insists on you! It makes no sense! I cannot mate another, because on some level even I want you as a mate. He pleads with me not to hurt you. He pleads not for me to take you as an Alpha Male should. It's pathetic really all that begging. I would never hurt my mate. Besides I know you have a demon inside just waiting to come out. Why won't you let her play instead? I am sure we can do more in a few nights than either of you could in three and a half months!"

"Why don't you see it's not as simple as that… Whatever that is…I don't want to know."

"Yes you do. I smell your change in scent little hanyou. You want me as much as you want the weak pack-male. Do not deny it."

"I thought I was disgusting. Why would you mate with a low half-demon as you said? There are plenty of others waiting for you. Now will you get off me?" Raven said trying to push Beast Boy off of her. He growled low in his throat. His clawed hand covered the back of her neck. He squeezed until Raven was sure she will pass out. He let go and she gulped down precious air. Her eyes glowed red as black tentacles threw him against the wall.

"You would leave me for another girl? Well maybe I don't want you to go. Maybe I want to stay with you no matter how irritating, how standoffish, or how much of a pain-in-the-neck I can be. Did you ever think about that? I don't know how to show love, or talk about my feelings. You saw how unbalanced they can be. If I let them out there's no telling what would happen. I thought you understood why I keep a lock on my emotions. … For pity's sake speak to me Garfield!"

The beast simply gave a dark chuckle. He clawed the tendrils off his arm. He licked his lips and leaped on Raven. Taken by surprise she had no defense ready as he smashed his lips on hers. Raven squirmed to get away. The beast stepped on her feet to keep them still. Raven continued to squirm, but she did not realize she was calling Garfield's name as she struggled on her back on his bed.

Beast growled biting her tongue to stop her. Raven stopped mumbling and focused on her mind. She closed her eyes as Beast trailed kisses down her chin, around her neck, and to each cheek repeatedly. In her mind, all her emotions sat in a huddle semi-circle. She had never seen them look so desperate and scared. They looked like the world was about to end.

Happy: Raven where have you been? We've been waiting for you for ages?!

Brave: Yes and why can't you tell Garfield you like him? What did you think all the hanging out was for- to talk about the weather?

Smart: Enough. Leave Raven alone she doesn't have time for this. We have to come up with a solution before this kissing evolves into something more.

Raven: I was hoping you all could tell me something.

Lust or Passion: Well I have an idea but you won't like it.

Other emotions: Well what is it?

Passion: It's simple. All you have to do is answer a simple question.

Rage: Do I love Garfield?

Raven and Smart: What are you doing here?

Rage: I'm tired of being ignored. I am tired of hating everything. I know you all think I'm just his little pawn but I have feelings too! I can love, I can like, I can feel sad, or anything else you all can! Why do you keep shoving me away?

Timid: Maybe it's a good idea to be honest with him.

Happy: I for one like the idea of having him as a boyfriend. He keeps us happy.

Brave: I understand why you don't want to cross that bridge yet. You're worried about the future. I don't know why you're worried about the puppet-girl- she is not interested in Garfield.

Rage: I could have told you that, but no one listens to me.

Raven: I have to make the final decision? Garfield's lasting happiness depends on my answer? This is too much pressure. Smart you tell him.

Happy: Hey Passion I like the pointed ears and are those whiskers? You look so cute!

Passion: I like cute.

Rage: I wish I had whiskers…

Raven: Why do you have whiskers on your cheeks and pointed ears?

Passion: To show you who you have a passion for, so to speak. I reflect what your emotions tell your body and right now they say, listen to your heart for once and make up your mind!

Raven: It's not that easy…

Smart: Well we have to do something. All this stress is not good for any of us.

Passion: Umm…girls? He's not kissing Rae anymore.

Raven: What did he do?

Passion: Oh wait! He's back to kissing but why do I feel a heated breeze on my skin?

Happy: But we're not ready to answer yet!

Rage: He may just try to coax it out of us.

Smart: Where is Garfield?

Timid: I think he's waiting too.

Passion: Well I don't really mind this heated kissing. It feels so good.

Raven: What will you do when he starts demanding more?

Passion: I can say what I'd like to do, but the last word goes to you Raven not even he can change that.

Raven: I can choose? Well he is a good friend. But his jokes are still not that good. He's loyal and honest. I guess in a way he's everything I'm not. I thought we were such opposites it could never work between us, but are you saying there's a chance it could work?

Smart and Passion: Only if that is what you decide to do- Raven.

Raven: I like Garfield but if this is going to work then the Beast has to chill out. I won't go any further until Garfield and Beast come to an agreement. Beast has to stop hurting Garfield every time he doesn't get what he wants- he's acting like a little boy throwing a temper tantrum.

Timid: I think it is a little more serious than that.

Rage: Don't send me back to him. I'll take an enraged, possibly too passionate Garfield and Beast over that, that, monster!

Happy: What do you think Raven?

Raven: I want to talk to Garfield. And thanks girls I needed this pep talk. Smart and brave keep an eye out for Envy. The last thing we need is her messing up our almost relationship with Garfield.

Smart and Brave: We're on it.

Timid: Red you can stay with us.

Happy: I missed you Red!

Rage: Red?

Raven: It's better than Wrath or Hate right? Besides Red suits you just fine it sounds good for you.

Red: Thank you all so much.

Happy and Timid: Don't cry Red. Everything will be all right.

"Rae I am still waiting."

"You want an answer? Then here it is. Tell me what the puppet-girl means to you."

"You ask me that? You know I grow tired of your mind games, my pet. Now what is your answer?"

"I'm talking to Garfield not you Beast." Raven said just before Beast pinched her breasts. She hissed in pain and then gasped as he sucked on them taking away the sting. Raven also realized why Passion talked about heated skin. Beast's shirt was tossed on the ground; her cloak was lying underneath them; and her blue one piece was in a bunch around her stomach. What was Beast going to do?

"Care to try that again?"

"I said I want to talk to Garfield. You may just like my answer to him."

"No! You are my mate as much as his! Now answer the question Raven!" Beast snarled again and raised his hand. It looked like he was going to slash her eyes but his hand stopped just above where her neck meets her shoulder. Raven gasped in short breaths. The hand twitched and shook for several seconds. His claws carried her off of her back into a sitting position. In a sudden burst of speed Raven was against the wall. With deep gouges from his claws cushioning her back. His head jerked to the side again and again.

At one point; he dug a new hole in the wall from his efforts to not force himself on Raven. She was not ready to take the next step. It did not matter what their bodies are telling their minds. She slowly pushed a strand of dark green hair out of his eyes and was beyond relieved to see rich brown instead of near scarlet.

"Are you all right Rae?"

"Am I okay? Shouldn't you be asking that yourself?"

"I couldn't let him hurt you. Now can you remind me of that question" Garfield asked. He inched his arms from her and Raven's legs slid to the floor.

"Who is the puppet-girl to you? Why did you bite her that night?"

"That was the Beast showing dominance and somewhat frustration. He was ticked off at Speedy for challenging him and he wanted to show him who was the top dog. Beast felt Slade was a threat and that's why he attacked him, but the puppet-girl, Kiara is a whole other story. Yes he wanted her to submit and yes he bit her in the same spot that a mating mark would go. You have to understand Raven the Beast is my most basic instincts. It does not help that he is attracted to the more domineering, possessive, and lustful parts of the animals in me.

"He wanted you under him and purring in content. He just marked her as a pack-female."

Raven smiled to have some of the confusion cleared up but that still left the question of who was Kiara to Garfield?

"I know I didn't answer. Listen, he marked her as another member of the pack. Our groups of friends- in his mind are like a pack of wolves or dogs. There's a leader, his or her second in command and the lower males and females down to the pups. Since none of us are married or have kids we don't have to worry about pups. According to him Kiara has a similar scent to Slade and to…"

Raven touched his cheek as a comforting gesture. Garfield smiled a little and continued explaining.

"Kiara smells like you, Raven."

"Wait a minute. You mean he was not considering her as a mate but he thinks of her as part of our pack? I don't know what's more shocking. That is disturbing that he picked me over her or the fact our scents are the same…But that means…Garfield; Kiara and I are related?"

"We can't tell because we aren't around the two of you together to get the scents matched up, but she smelled closer to you than any of us except for Slade."

"Garfield does this mean that gulp! Kiara could be Slade's daughter?"

"…Yes. But Rae we have a bigger issue here. I don't know how long I can keep him distracted. He won't forget this any time soon. To be honest I think he likes it when you don't give in."

"I can imagine why he likes me not being all timid and shy." Raven gave a dry laugh. Garfield gave a nervous chuckle. He opened his mouth to say more when he touched a wet mark on Raven's chest. In fact just over her left breast was a bleeding mark of what could only be fangs. Then Garfield realized that Rae still had her outfit hanging on her stomach and when had his shirt come off? Raven noticed his intense concentration and decided to indulge Passion for a moment.

Since when did Garfield stop looking like a little kid? His chest was toned with lean muscles along his arms and down his legs. His hands showed the "wear and tear" of being in constant use. All in all, Garfield had a slender shape that could rival Robin one day in looks… 'Curse you Passion and your interest in Garfield! Stop making him look attractive this instant!' Raven rolled her eyes as a mental image of Passion with a cat tail and ears, and an innocent smile crossed her mind. Garfield gave a soft gasp while trailing his fingertips over Raven's gray toned skin. 'Why can't Raven believe that she is beautiful? She is just as beautiful as Starfire or Bumblebee or Terra ever was. What would it take to get her to realize she deserves love too?'

"Um, Rae, please don't panic but you might want to feel your chest for a moment."

Raven was puzzled but she chuckled. After everything that had just happened to them what more surprises could he throw her way? Turned out Garfield or rather Beast had one big surprise just for her. Raven glided her right hand over her chest to touch Garfield's hand. She picked up his hand and placed it over her heart. Garfield gasped at the gesture. At first she couldn't figure out what he was talking about; until she felt a wet mark on Garfield's right forearm, where he would bend his arm.

Staring at the wall or anywhere else but at each other they spoke at the same time.

"Raven", Garfield said with a blush.

"Yes Garfield?"

"Do you feel the wet mark?"

"Yes I do Garfield", Raven said.

"Do you know what this means?"

"I was hoping you could tell me." Raven continued to stare at the state of his room and not at Garfield.

Garfield took a deep breath, and said in a rush, "We marked each other."

Raven sighed, pinched her nose, and tried to ignore the growing tension and awkwardness in the room. Their emotions swirled in the air around them. If Kiara had been there she would have commented on the pretty swirls of rainbow colors, how nervous they were, and more importantly when are you two going to admit you like each other?!

"Garfield, tell me straight, are we…did we just…Are you my mate?"

Garfield surprised himself with his response and the lack of hesitation in his voice.

"Raven I wanted to be your mate ever since that dumb dragon broke your heart. I just didn't realize how badly I wanted it until now."

"I don't know what to say to that."

"Raven I have to tell you," Garfield said. He pushed a strand of blue hair to the side of her face. "This mark it is permanent." Raven smirked and then giggled and then she laughed. Garfield fell on his back in shock. She crawled on top of his belly and ran her fingers over his lean chest. Garfield shivered for a moment. Then Raven slid her hand over his right forearm and sucked on the crease on his arm. Garfield shuddered again as ripples of heat and cool ran down his arm. What was she doing? She hadn't said a word whether or not she even wanted this unbreakable bond and now she's sucking on a mating mark?

"Raven what are you doing? You never even said yes or no about the marks."

"I thought there was no question about it. On some level our minds and bodies want each other. Now all we have to figure out is do our hearts want each other?"

"And you decided to answer this by…?"

"A kiss is all I want. That should tell us if we want each other."

"Rae you do realize kissing is not a good measure for this? I mean we were at each other's throats last month and just last week no one could get us to say hi to the each other. Now we're kissing? Just because our bodies say let's be mates that doesn't mean we should."

"I understand that," Raven said while trailing light kisses on his arms, neck, and over his heart. "Personally I'd like to ignore my brain right now and just feel for once in my life. I don't think I need a boy who always agrees with me or who always argues with me. I think if we look at this from another perspective we'll see that we balance each other out."

Garfield winced as Beast scratched at his mental barrier. It was clear Beast had no trouble with where this was going, but Garfield wanted to think this out more. Raven's kisses stayed near his upper body, yet Garfield continued to shudder from the unexpected pleasure. Could he make Raven feel this good? And did Rae not just say she wanted to feel? But the last thing he wanted was Raven to give herself and then later regret it. Garfield had to know for sure before they could go any further, why wasn't Raven thinking like this?

Of course what if Raven had an emotion that acted more like Beast? What if that emotion was closer to Raven's physical desires and she just received a huge confidence boost from Garfield and Beast marking Raven? Oh dear this has just gotten serious. Garfield made a split decision to give himself and hopefully give Raven more time to think things through.

"Hey Raven, what to play a game?"

"Not really I'm enjoying myself quite a bit right now. I can feel your heart beat and it has such a pleasant rhythm. I like it."

"Well Rae I was thinking, how about I ask you some simple questions. I call a name and you tell me words or phrases that come to mind when you hear it. I'll give you an example. When I say Mad Mod what do you think of?"

Raven trailed more kisses up his neck and down his left arm. Her lips stopped just over the elbow before she licked it up and down. Her tongue flicked in and out. She smiled as Garfield shivered as if he was cold but she could feel the heat rising from his skin. If only Raven had an idea of what these innocent kisses did to Beast. He was growling in satisfaction but also in growing annoyance because she wasn't doing more.

"Raven, are you listening to me?" Garfield got a brief nod for an answer. He continued after Raven sucked on his mark. Garfield decided to get her attention by sucking on the mark over her right breast. Raven gasped in surprise. Unfortunate for Garfield Raven kissed his skin more passionately, holding his hand over her lacy red-black bra, and trying to wrap her thin arms around his waist. What would he do if she didn't stop? They couldn't actually be mates right, no matter what his wildest dreams told him.

"Raven please, let's takes this slow. You don't want…me. And if we go all the way you'll send me to another dimension for taking your most precious gift without your consent. I don't want that. The last thing I want is for you to hate me. I am so sorry Raven."

"Garfield you wanted to play a game with me? All right then we can play. I told Beast I wanted to talk to you. Now these marks kind of speed things up but I need to know something. It's why I'm still kissing you. I am trying to tell that animal to be patient. Not that I think you are an animal! You are not an animal! Maybe we have more in common than I ever thought. So who is the first person you want to talk about?"

Garfield laughed for a moment at the entire situation. No one was ever going to believe they were discussing their sea-saw relationship in his half destroyed bed room trying to figure out that same complicated relationship.

"Okay first up, Cyborg. Just say the first words that come to mind."

"Cyborg is Intelligent. Honest. He is strong. He is funny. He is a gamer. He loves meat. He is loyal and considerate. Like that Garfield?"

"That's great Raven! Now you say a name and I do the same thing."

"Um Okay, how about Blackfire" Raven said.

"Blackfire is sassy. Knows how to get what she wants. She is a bad girl. She is powerful and she can be selfish. Now she is guilt-ridden not to mention apologetic. She is willing to help. She wants a better relationship with her sister. I think she's a good friend to Terra. I do not want her angry at me. Passionate she is a good dancer. She knows popular phrases, unlike poor Star."

"Speaking of Starfire let's talk about her next. I'll tell you what I think of Starfire: Naïve, Playful, and Energetic. Clueless when it comes to slang. She has a weird appetite. She has a strange fascination with hair. She is an optimist and way too bubbly at times. She has weird taste buds. Starfire is more than willing to give others a second chance. Star is loving and beautiful. Now she is sadly: depressed, alone, heartbroken, afraid, and uncertain. How about Terra" Raven said.

"I knew she was coming. Here are some words I think of when I hear Terra: Friendly sunny, careful and cautious. She knows how to laugh. She is dedicated. Faithful like Star and Cyborg. She is content, happy and too nervous. I thought I loved her, Raven. Now I don't know how to act around her. But if Blackfire keeps her happy then I guess that's the best I can hope for" Garfield admitted with a smile.

Raven tried to kiss Garfield again but he held her close. Raven wiggled a little to get out of the embrace. Garfield held her tighter and breathed in her scent. Raven smelled spicy and herbal like cinnamon-vanilla, citrus and honey. Her heartbeat was strong. Raven liked the way Garfield smelled too, like fresh bread out of the oven, a garden with ripe vegetables, and strangely enough like pie?

"I forgot what we were doing just now. Where were we Garfield?"

"We were asking each other what we think of our friends. I just finished saying what I thought of Terra so it's your turn Rae."

"Um…Robin" Raven said. She leaned her head on his shoulder to hide her blush. Beast shoved against Garfield's mental barriers. This made him wince in pain and grip his head. Raven bit her lip why did Beast have to be so forceful? She wanted to march into Garfield's mind, sit Beast down, and tell him, 'if you hurt Garfield again I will never touch you again'; or something like that.

"He's getting real annoyed. But we can't go rushing into this. We need time to figure out what we want. Let's continue okay Raven?" Raven did not seem to notice Garfield's question. Instead she decided to continue her light kissing on Garfield's mark and his lean chest. Their little game seemed to be forgotten as Raven and Garfield allowed for this tiny guilty pleasure. The increasing pleasurable feeling was interrupted by the familiar ring tone of their communicators.

Garfield and Raven growled a little at the tone choosing to ignore it. Beast rumbled in the back of Garfield's mind not quite as insistently as before. Passion and the rest of Raven's emotions were enjoying this one vacation from being logical, stoic, and unfeeling. Perhaps showing emotions was not the death sentence they believed it was. With lips everywhere and hands squeezing any other parts of the body they could reach the tension in the room was replaced with another kind all together.

Garfield's eyes were burning in a strange shade of green mixed with deep brown. Raven's normal blue-violet eyes also had more red than blue resting there. The communicator rang again and Raven considered throwing it through the wall into her room. Cyborg and Starfire had decided to go out, but with a tide of feelings bordering on compassion, impatience, a shaky hope, and plain passion it was hard to remember a reason for them to call.

"Rae we should pick that up" Garfield said breathless as Raven kissed his neck and trailed down to his left arm. He did not stand idle either, because Rae was giving contented mews and tiny squeals of pleasure as he kissed all across her chest and going up to her neck. It was getting harder to remember why they wanted to keep their clothes on, or why it might be good to see who was calling, or even more so the conversation which had gotten sidetracked earlier. Beast gave a shove against Garfield's mind annoyed that he was still contemplating the particular details of their relationship instead of focusing on his soon-to-be mate.

He decided the only way to get a clearer head was to talk out loud. "For your information Beast we never even said we wanted to be mates. What would that do to our team? It could break us apart and that is the last thing we need right now. And furthermore what if Cyborg or Star is in trouble? Maybe it is Blackfire and Terra, they could be in trouble. We really should stop."

"Why? I have not felt this good in so long. I understand your fears. I am not saying I think everything will be all cakes and rainbows later on. I am not that far gone in la-la land. Okay here is the deal if it rings again we answer it."

"That sounds wonderful Rae but what do we do if does not ring?"

"Um…cross that bridge when we get there?"

Garfield did not think that was a good way to deal with this current situation. What else could he say? Raven was content and apparently eager to keep up this kissing. They were not going any farther, but why did it have to be so tempting? Beast purred in happiness as not so innocent thoughts entered his mind. He mentally slapped himself for even allowing those thoughts. Raven was also mentally slapping Passion for bringing similar thoughts. Passion's response was sticking out her tongue.

Raven almost wanted to slap Passion in the back of the head. It was her fault she was half-dressed, kissing and sucking on an unwanted mating mark, sitting in her team mate's lap, and neither her or Garfield could come up with a reason to stop.

The unexpected jingle from his communicator made Beast and Garfield snarl in annoyance. If it was not for Raven's powers and her hungry kisses on his neck and over her mark- the communicators would have been shredded.

"Is someone dying?" Raven asked clenching her teeth.

"Hello is anyone there" a familiar voice spoke from the open communicator. Raven paused in her heated exploration of Garfield for a moment. She recognized that voice it was Terra. But why was she calling now? Before she could get an answer to that question another familiar voice spoke.

"Did you get them Blackfire? I can't see a thing in here. Ow, curse these dumb boxes!" Terra shouted in a whisper.

"We don't have a strong signal in here. We must be underground. Beast Boy can you help us? We are stuck in the…what do you call it Terra? Grand Hall, White Hall, Oval Hall, I can't remember the name now." Blackfire stepped behind Terra to wave at Beast Boy and Raven from the tiny screen.

"It's City Hall remember we had a field trip that was derailed by the psycho maniac in the clown getup? Ugh, Beast Boy it's me Terra, and Blackfire's with me. We are stuck in the basement of the City Hall, as I already said a maniac clown has taken it over, and (Raven and Garfield blushed to hear the girls' stomachs growl) we never ate lunch!"

Raven and Garfield could not believe their ears. They did not know any crazy clowns. What would he want with a building filled with middle-schoolers? It did not make any sense.

"Hello is anyone there? We need help!" Terra shouted in a panicked whisper.

"Okay, stay calm Terra. We are coming to get you both. Sit tight and we'll get Starfire and Cyborg to help us search. Close your communicator afterwards you should save the battery as long as you can. Maybe Cyborg can track it underground or something. Promise me Terra you and Blackfire will not try to play hero and stay safe!"

Blackfire stepped behind Terra and gave the most encouraging smile she could. Raven could sense their growing sense of dread and panic. They had done very well to remain calm and not run up the walls in fright. That still meant it would be four super-powered teens against an old "maniac" clown. Raven did not want to think about who that clown was.

Garfield sighed and took a deep breath. He was relieved that the kissing had been interrupted before it went too far. He hoped he would have more time to figure out what he really wanted. Oh, who was he kidding? He realized how good a friend Raven was after he and Cyborg had gone into her mind by accident. Terra had redirected his affections for a time, but after the dragon incident, and most of all, the Beast's first appearance, he realized that he did care for Raven more than a friend.

Raven was having similar thoughts as she tried to track her feelings for her green team mate over the years. She was forced to face the terrifying notion that around the time that Beast had appeared, and after the puppet-girl Kiara had come along: that she did care for Garfield.

"Garfield they need help. Should we call Cyborg and Star to let them know we are on our way or just fly over?"

"Raven I don't think it matters what we do. But we should put our shirts back on and straighten up before we do anything."

Raven surrounded herself with black energy sliding through Garfield's room and reappearing in her room. She sat on her bed for a few seconds. She shook her head back and forth as a way to focus on her friends and not on her complicated "almost" relationship. When she emerged from her room feeling better with fresh clothes and her hair in place she walked to Garfield's room.

Raven waited outside of Garfield's room for a minute. She wanted to respect his wishes. She raised her hand to knock on the door. When it opened she gasped. Garfield was wearing a short sleeve dark blue shirt and black pants with light green stripes running down the pants. The shirt had three buttons she had not noticed; until she saw a peek of green skin underneath the shirt. Raven had to ignore Happy's squeal of delight, Red's sharp intake of breath, and especially Passion's shout for joy and more heated kisses inside her mind.

How did Garfield of all people have this effect on her? Not even Robin had this effect on her and if not for Starfire she would have considered going out with him. Maybe even the bad boy Red X would have been an interesting choice instead of a jokester with bad jokes and a heart on his sleeve. Garfield was too emotional for her by all accounts and Raven was too serious for him. So why now- why this sudden interest in, gulp, mates and dating, and aggressive inner-personalities that did not know when to back off?

Garfield was also admiring Raven's outfit. He could not put his finger on it, but she seemed to glow in her black one-piece. Garfield wished she thought more of her appearance, how beautiful would silver or even orange earrings enhance the slenderness of her face? Or how enchanting would a necklace of the same color bring out her violet eyes? Even a bracelet of gold would not diminish her graceful arms or her slender and toned legs? Why did she have to cover herself up so much? A few splashes of color would not hurt her. He had a better chance of getting Mumbo Jumbo to reveal his secrets, out-swimming Aqua Lad in a race, and/or stealing Robin's mask than he did of getting Raven to admit she was beautiful or worthy of love.

All of this would have to put aside for now. Now was not the best time to think about complicated love relationships when two of their friends were in danger. Garfield did not know what to do- standing here watching a beautiful girl in front of his room. Raven also looked down to hide the growing blush on her face.

"I guess we should get going, right" Garfield asked rubbing his hands together. Raven nodded as she pulled her blue hood over her head. They walked down the hallway into the living room. Neither of them looked at Robin's door as they passed by. It was too painful to go into that room knowing that Robin was gone.

Before Raven could walk out the door she turned around to see Garfield with a beam of sunlight shining behind him. She gasped while he stared into her eyes. She knew it sounded corny but all she wanted to do was jump up and down, hide behind the couch, or fall on top of him to possibly kiss him senseless…Where did that come from?

Garfield saw her twisting her blue cloak behind her and she crossed her feet several times. He had to smirk for a minute. Raven was always so concerned about her emotions causing problems. He would have loved to point out what little damage her powers were doing now. When it was so clear how nervous she was. If he thought Raven would not punch him in the gut he would have laughed. Raven saw him smirking at her. She thought she would get angry or tease him into doing something stupid so she could scold him for it.

It was very surprising, the thought of teasing him and getting into a fight, made her feel sad. She felt so bad that the water in the sink starting running and all the cabinets opened and closed on their own. Raven chanted for a few seconds to create balance. Garfield held out his hand as an offering.

"You know this is the first time my emotions made a mess of things and it was not because I was angry or afraid. Well I mean I am afraid. But the scariest thing is I can't fight this fear. I don't know what to do with it. What am I supposed to do with these feelings? How do you deal with this every day? It's overwhelming! One week we can't be in the same room the next we're trying to make the others breakfast in bed. Is this how relationships work? Tell me what to do. You had a girlfriend once, Garfield. That reminds me why would you go out with me anyway? I'm too dark, too creepy, and too ugly for you…"

Raven's rant was stopped by a well-timed kiss to the lips. Happy, Passion, Brave, and even Timid were quite enjoying these kisses. Smart and Red (also known as Rage) thought maybe this could wait until all their friends were not in mortal danger! Beast had almost no complaints to the kissing. He just kept wondering when the alpha male and his alpha female were going to complete this ritual, a bonding that Beast had to admit was necessary for him and Garfield. With an even bigger grin on his face Garfield ran out the door with Raven's hand wrapped inside his as they headed towards City Hall- another turning point in their relationship approaching fast.