SQ - I'm back! The vacation was lovely, such an adventure. I didn't have any time to write, but enough to think about how I'd like this story to turn out. I decided to make a few changes on the direction, so the steamy scene's a bit altered. Let me know what you think!

[Chapter 16: The Play]

Meji, Bal, and Hoarfrost sat in the far corner of Raven's room, the one tucked under her window. They mumbled in quiet voices, too quiet for Raven to hear. But what else did she really need to know? She shook her head. She already knew of their plans. And she could do nothing to stop it. Not now. Not in her current state. What she needed was Starfire. And Robin. And Cyborg. Hell, even Beastboy would be useful. She looked to the door. She needed her friends. A sparkling dress suddenly flooded her vision.

Orion stepped closer, kneeling next to Raven. "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

A walk? Raven arched an eyebrow. Could anything be more perfect? "Sure."

Her eyes flashed green, then orange, then blue. A smile drifted across her lips. "Good."

Orion turned and walked to the door, clicking the lock open. She motioned Raven to follow. The moment Raven got up the conversation by the window ceased. Hoarfrost cleared her throat. "And where do you think you're going?"

Raven tilted her head to Orion, who answered for them. "We are going to look at the stars. There's no harm in that. The others are contained. We will be back long before the ceremony begins."

Hoarfrost frowned, but said nothing.

Raven scowled. Her old team balanced well. Orion and Meji, moon and sun. Bal and Hoarfrost, red magic and white magic. No one really rose above the other. It had been Raven who'd clashed with the group. Raven's powers who amplified them. It had been natural that she should lead. And that she should leave.

Orion must've really secured her spot in the team to have Hoarfrost trust her so easily. The door closed behind them, Orion leading the way down the hallway to the stairs. But how did she do it? Raven stared hard at the shoulder-length white hair of her old friend. Her ex friend. Bal seemed the most obvious choice, strength-wise. His lava-like power could flatten anything, even steel. And Meji could harness any form of sunlight to do his bidding. The gentlest ray could become a burning laser in his hands.

They passed by both Robin and Beastboy's room. Raven strained her hearing. Nothing. Not even a bump. She tightened her lips. Couldn't they fight against Hoarfrost's powers by now? Surely they had tried. Still, the rooms were quiet.

Orion trailed her fingers across the wall. Over Starfire's door. Raven narrowed her eyes. Orion's powers were limited to the night. Raven swallowed. But then again, once the moon rose there was no stopping Orion. Nothing could get in her way.

And Orion now stood a notch above the other two, or seemed to at least. How did she manage it?

They reached the stairs. Here, Orion paused. "I slept with Hoarfrost."

Did that matter? Not really. But it explained the subtle shift in power. "And you think I care because…?"

"You don't." Orion climbed the stairs and pushed open the door leading to the roof. The stars provided a blinking background for Orion's silhouette. "But you should."

Raven's hand froze on the rail. What was she playing at? She forced herself to keep moving, keep climbing. "Why?"

Orion stepped out of her way, gaze now trained to the black. "Because it's the fact that will save you and your friends. Now kiss me."

"Ho–what?" Raven reached the top of the stairs, stepping out into the crisp night air.

Orion pulled Raven into her arms, so close Raven felt Orion's heartbeat, the warmth of her skin, the softness of her breasts. Orion kissed her, lips capturing Raven's words and sealing them away. One of Orion's hands slipped behind Raven's neck, the other around Raven's waist. Raven struggled but couldn't break free. Finally Orion pulled back.

Raven tried to pull back, but Orion tightened her hold. "What the hell are you doing?"

Orion leaned close, whispering in Raven's ear. Her breathe tickled Raven's neck. "Hoarfrost trusts me, but not enough to leave me alone with you for long. She will send Meji up to investigate. He will not disturb us if he sees this. And we can't let him disturb us. He must be fooled and leave. Why do you think I was so forward with you before? I had to fool them into this moment, so I can tell you of my plan."

Raven tried to gather her thoughts. It could be a trick. But Orion had been forward earlier that evening, too obvious, especially for her. And what other choice did she have, really? Raven took a deep breath. "What plan?"

Orion lifted her hands to the cloak around Raven's neck. With deft fingers, Orion untangled the knot. The cape slipped off Raven's shoulders and pooled on the rooftop. Then, resting her hand on Raven's chest, Orion whispered, "Do you know what love is?"

Goosebumps rose on Raven's exposed skin. Her thoughts drifted back to Starfire. A movement in the corner caught her eye, a flash of – what – red? Meji? She didn't want to be any nearer to Orion, but if the woman was telling the truth and did want to help, it might be the only way. Awkward, though, so very awkward. How far did Orion expect to take it?

But Orion must've noticed the crimson light, too, because she muttered "Meji" then pulled Raven to the ground, forcing Raven's hands down, straddling her waist, and leaning in for another kiss. Raven tensed. Orion filled her senses, the wind scent of her, the pressure of her hands, the lemon-drop flavor of her lips. Stop freaking out, it's just a kiss. The rooftop was cold and hard against Raven's back, uncomfortable just like this ruse, but this time, Raven returned the gesture.

Orion shifted, grabbing both of Raven's hands with just one of her own and exploring Raven's curves with the other. Her leg slipped between Raven's. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. But when her palm ran over Raven's breast, Raven shuddered. Not with passion, but fear. How far would Orion go? Hopefully Meji couldn't tell the difference.

Orion leaned close, hair falling over her shoulder and tickling Raven's cheek. "That alien girl. You love her?"

The door slammed shut, from the wind or Meji, Raven couldn't tell. "Yes."

"Then you know why I want to help you."

Raven didn't respond. She couldn't. It was too good to be true. Does this really all boil down to love? Orion stilled her movements, a hand settling on Raven's side. Raven wanted that hand off her. Wanted Orion off her. Silence stretched. Finally, Raven replied. "Because you want Starfire and I to be with each other?"

"No, I don't care about you. Or her." Orion smiled. "I am motivated by more selfish means."

The heat from Orion's body became uncomfortable, but Raven dared not move. "Because you love Hoarfrost?"

Orion nodded, lifting herself off of Raven and looking towards the closed door. "Meji has left. We should be fine for a few moments. If Hoarfrost uses your power, everyone in this city will die. And you will grow to loath her."

Raven, too, levered up into a seated position, feeling infinitely better having some space between them. "She's not that high up on my popularity scale as it is."

Orion gaze wandered up to the starry sky. "No. You will hate her for killing your friends, for destroying your city, for using your power for such vile purposes. But you will loathe her for killing your love." She met Raven's stare. "Hoarfrost knows this. So when she is finished with the soul snatch, she will make you to love her. Use her power and force you to believe it is true. You will not be able to break it. And I would not be able to stand it."

"So…" Raven shrugged, hugging her arms against her stomach. "What's the play?"

"I am."

Raven swiveled around. Starfire?

SQ - Sooo, yeah. Originally I was hesitant to put Raven in such an awkward position. What do you think? Thoughts/Criticism/Remarks - Comment, people! I'd love to hear from you.