Chapter 28

Raven fidgeted as the woman scrubbed at her feet with some kind of metal contraption. She had been here for four hours already and, according to the technicians, wasn't anywhere near done yet. Raven was tired, irritable, and still in pain from some of the earlier treatments. She never thought something like this would happen to her, yet here she was, somewhat willingly subjecting herself to a day at the spa. Ironically enough, she had never felt so unattractive.

Raven had obviously never been to a spa before, but her expectation was that they would slap some makeup on her face, dump a can of hairspray on her hair, ooh and aah over how gorgeous Starfire was, and perhaps paint their nails. She was not expecting to be scrubbed with salt, wrapped in seaweed, waxed, dipped in mud, subjected to a facial, and left to roast under a space helmet with her hair wrapped in foil. The women looked at her appraisingly, making comments such as, "I've never seen such unkempt nails on a woman before. We'll have to use acrylics," and "is your hair naturally that... purple?" Raven wouldn't consider herself beautiful, but with all these treatments and talk about what work needed to be done, she felt downright ugly.

She was currently sitting in a cushy chair with one foot in a swirling foot bath and the other at the mercy of her pedicurist. At least for this treatment she was sitting next to Starfire. She had been on her own for the others.

Starfire let out a sigh, relaxing into the chair while she enjoyed the process. Raven on the other hand felt like she was getting the bottom of her foot scraped off. She twitched around as the motion felt one part ticklish and one part painful.

"Sorry," the woman working on her foot apologized, "you just have, um, a lot of dead skin on your feet."

"That is because friend Raven does not care for her feet properly," Starfire explained from next door. Raven shot her a look, though she continued to talk. "I have repeatedly implored her to partake in the painting of the toenails and other female earthly customs but she always declines."

"I wonder why," Raven ground out as the woman moved from the ball of her foot to her heel.

"It's less of a big deal if you get it done regularly," Starfire's pedicurist suggested. "See? Your friend here is all done!" Raven snuck a peek at Starfire's toes, which were perfectly polished and painted a simple light pink that offset her golden skin perfectly. "Ready for your manicure Miss Starfire?"

She hesitated. "May I stay with my friend for a while longer? There is something I wish to discuss." Uh-oh.

"Of course, in fact you're already ahead of schedule!" the woman beamed. "I'll give you two a while and then I'll be back."

Starfire's attention turned immediately to Raven after the woman waltzed off. "Friend, I believe you will look most beautiful after we are done."

"Um thanks," Raven responded, not knowing where this was headed.

Starfire continued to stare her down. "Are you not excited to look pleasant at the celebration? Many people will be in attendance." Raven raised a brow. "Many boys will be in attendance."

Ahh, that's what this is about, Raven thought with a sigh. Now that Starfire had experienced the joys of dating she wanted Raven to experience the same happiness. As of late she constantly hinted at the idea and Raven constantly shot it down. Now that she actually had a boyfriend, she could better understand and appreciate where her friend was coming from.

"Starfire, I don't need to be looking for a boyfriend," she said simply, hoping to end the conversation.

"Oh," she piped quietly. She was silent for a moment. "Perhaps this is because you already have one?"

Raven's eyes flew wide and she gripped the arms of the chair. "Of course not! Why would you think that?"

"Judging by your reaction I can conclude that my assumption was correct," she stated matter-of-factly with her head tilted to the side. Raven sat with her mouth open, searching for something to say. She turned to stare very intently at her feet as the blush spread across her face.

"May I ask who you are doing to dating with?"

Raven didn't trust herself to speak. Damn, she thought with awe, when did she get so insightful? It was hard to believe that this was the same girl who thought taking Raven to the spa would be a good idea.

"Is it, perhaps, friend Beast Boy?" Starfire asked tentatively.

The light overhead burst into a shower of sparks. Raven turned to stare at Starfire head-on, her jaw clenched tight.

"He told you, didn't he?"

"No," she insisted while shaking her head vigorously. "He did not. I merely observed that he had the feelings for you and when you both began acting strangely I surmised you had begun the dating," she explained. Her face brightened. "Oh I am most happy for you both! Tell me, when did you start dating, where have you gone, have you done the kissing yet? Shall you be escorted by Beast Boy to the celebration?" she spilled out in a rush.

Raven blinked a few times, then turned her eyes to the woman still working on her toes. She pretended to be very engaged in what she was doing but looked up when she heard the conversation stop.

"Don't worry ladies, whatever you say stays right here," she assured them when she caught Raven's uncomfortable stare. Raven didn't trust that one bit, but decided it couldn't really hurt to continue their conversation now. She sighed.

"We've been dating for a few days. We've been to a cafe and to the beach. Thanks for the swimsuit by the way." She gave Starfire a glare which the girl shifted hesitantly under and gave a meek shrug.

"No, Beast Boy and I will not be going together tonight. We're trying to keep this private, so you can't tell Robin or Cyborg," she ordered firmly. Starfire nodded vigorously.

"You may rest assured friend, as your secret is safe with me!" She perked up. "And have you both shared the traditional kiss to signify mutual attraction?"

It was amazing how she could ask that question so calmly. Raven felt the heat in her cheeks intensify. She had to admit this was her biggest complaint about Starfire. It was true, she didn't understand Earthly customs, and that often led to the most awkward situations. Like the one they were in now.

"I, um, we... yes," she stuttered, finally deciding to just get the truth off her chest. Starfire squealed.

"Wondrous! I am most happy for you!" She reached over and embraced Raven in an awkward side hug. Raven decided it was time to use diversionary tactics.

"And what about you? Has Robin asked you to go to the gala with him yet?" She took the bait easily. Now it was her turn to do the blushing.

"Yes. He asked me yesterday to accompany him, though I had little doubt he would." There was excitement in her eyes, but also a trace of sadness.

"Don't worry Star, he'll come around one day."

"I hope so," she sighed. "When we did the dating before, things did not go well. But now we are older and smarter and there is less crime in the city. I am hoping we may try it once more."

"Starfire," Raven said gently, "things will work out. I promise." After all, I made a wish.

The girl smiled at her, took her hand, and gave it a squeeze. In a rare act of affection, Raven covered their joined hands with her other.

"Thank you Starfire."

"For what?"

Raven gave her a deep, meaningful look. "For being my friend."

"Of course." She looked a little perplexed by the gesture, but was thankfully distracted by the return of her nail lady.

"Are you ready for your manicure?" she asked brightly. Starfire nodded and hopped out of her chair. Before she left the room she turned back to Raven.

"Goodbye friend. I shall see you soon!"

Raven smiled as the door closed behind her. "Goodbye Starfire."

Robin slammed his clenched fists down on the table and let out a grunt. He was tired, he was frustrated, and most of all he was scared. Scared that Slade would try and hurt his friends, scared that innocent people would suffer, and scared that in a few hours, hundreds of Jump City's most prominent citizens would be congregated in their living room. Before last night, Robin had total confidence that the Tower's security system plus the five of them would be able to handle whatever came their way. But after hearing Slade's words, he wasn't so sure. He had mentioned the event for a reason. He had to be planning something.

Robin had spent all of last night and the rest of the morning searching for information on the Church of Blood. The only break he took was to attend Raven's informal breakfast party. He knew his attendance to that wasn't optional. So far his search hadn't produced a single lead.

It has to be out there somewhere, he reasoned as he paced along the evidence room. Slade wouldn't make something up. But what is it? It sounded ominous, and if it had anything to do with Slade it had to be bad news. Really bad news. Robin had searched every file and source he had for anything that could be even remotely related. His records were extensive, only eclipsed by one other's.

He stopped abruptly and let out a sigh, knowing what he had to do. He hadn't left Bruce Wayne on good terms, but right now it didn't matter. The safety of his team and possibly all of Jump City was at stake. He reluctantly picked up his rarely used cell phone and dialed a familiar number. Wayne Manor, home of the Batman himself.

It rang a few times before anyone answered. "Wayne Manor, may I help you?" asked Alfred's easily recognizable voice.

Robin smiled. "Alfred. It's me, Robin—er, Dick." The other end of the line was silent for a few moments. Robin frowned.

"Master Dick. It is quite a surprise to hear from you. I would have thought we'd be having this conversation sooner."

Robin rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh, sorry Alfred." He hesitated. "It's good to hear your voice."

"And yours as well," he returned, the familiar gentleness returning to his voice. "Now, I'm assuming this isn't a social call."

Robin jumped right into business. "No actually, is Bruce there?"

"I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment," Alfred replied.

Robin sighed. "Figures."

"Is there something I could assist you with?" Alfred offered. Robin decided that channeling this through Alfred, though it would be taking the easy way out, would eliminate the need for the awkward conversation that would transpire between himself and Bruce, as well as ensure Robin's request was attended to promptly. More importantly, he was running out of time.

"Actually, I could really use some information. Can you have Bruce send me anything he has on something called the Church of Blood?"

"Sounds delightful," Alfred quipped disdainfully. "I'll see to it that Master Bruce follows through with your request as soon as he returns."

Robin felt a little bit better. "Thank you Alfred. I appreciate it."

"Of course. And know that Wayne Manor will always be your home, Master Dick."

Robin didn't know what to say. Whatever falling out he had had with Bruce, it wasn't with Alfred. He felt emotion swell in his chest as he remembered life at Wayne Manor. He made a resolution to call again, or perhaps even visit. "Goodbye Alfred."

"Goodbye Master Dick."

Robin stayed on the line until it went dead. He sighed as he flipped the phone shut. After spending more than twelve unfruitful hours in the evidence room, he was ready for a change of pace. Besides, there was only one thing he could do now that he was waiting on Bruce for a lead. He headed off towards his room to get ready for the night.