Teen Titans in Crete Part 1

"Dude, where's the sun cream?" called Beast Boy as he rummaged through the contents of the bathroom.
"It's in the kitchen!" yelled back Cyborg.
"What's it doing there?" yelled Beast Boy.
"I put it there this morning for when we're packing," called Cyborg.
It was absolute chaos in the Titans Tower. Cyborg and Beast Boy were arguing about where the sun cream was left while Starfire kept going through her bags, making sure again and again that she had anything. Robin was readying the defence grid of the tower, checking and double checking the security while Raven sat, fully packed and perfectly calm, reading a book. She looked up with a slightly annoyed expression at Beast Boy and Cyborg. "If you even bothered to look, you'd see that the sun cream is on the table right here," she said, pointing to the large blue bottle. Beast Boy and Cyborg grinned sheepishly, "We knew that!" they said in unison. Raven sighed and returned to her book.
At last, everything was packed into the T-car as they stood in the garage. Cyborg got in behind the wheel while Robin got into the passenger seat. Beast Boy and Starfire squeezed into the back, either side of Raven. 'And here starts two weeks without a moments peace,' she thought ruefully.
Cyborg started up the engine of the car. Starfire gave a whoop of delight. "Finally, we will ride on the giant metal bird and go on the vacationing," she cried with delight. Raven shrugged before pulling out a book.
"You know you'll get car sick if you read while we're moving," said Beast Boy, nudging her elbow.
Raven gave Beast Boy a withering look, "I don't get car sick," she said before continuing with her reading. Robin pressed a button on the controller and activated the tower's security. They drove down to the harbour. "I'm bored," said Beast Boy, putting his chin in his hands.
"We haven't even left the island, man," said Cyborg, "How can you possibly be bored?"
"Well I am," retorted Beast Boy, "Hey, Raven-" he began.
"Don't even think about it," she replied, her eyes darting from the book, to him, and back to the book. Beast Boy sighed.
Cyborg pushed a button on the dashboard causing the T-car to turn into a submarine. The T-car plunged into the cool, clear water, sending streams of bubbles whizzing towards the surface. Many coloured fish swam around the T-car, looking in at the Teen Titans. Beast Boy preoccupied himself with pulling faces at the passing fish. Raven raised her eyes to the ceiling and allowed a smile to flit across her face as she bent her head over her book.
"Friend Raven?" asked Starfire, tugging at Raven's sleeve, "what is that strange creature?" she asked, pointing at a jellyfish as it drifted lazily passed the window. Raven looked out through the window, "That's a jellyfish," she replied.
"Please, tell me more about this fish made of jelly," said Starfire, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Raven put down her book with a tiny laugh. "Have I said something comical?" asked Starfire, turning red with embarrassment. Raven smiled and started to tell her all about jellyfish. Starfire listened attentively, fixing all her attention on her purple-haired friend.
After about an hour the T-car drove up onto the harbour of Jump City and drove towards the city centre. It turned out Beast Boy had been right. Raven's face had gone a pale shade of green and she swallowed, trying to control the queasy feeling she felt in the pit of her stomach.
"Friend Raven, why has your face gone a funny colour?" asked Starfire, putting her hand on Raven's shoulder, "Are you not feeling well?"
Raven stared down at the floor, not saying anything. She was not about to let Beast Boy know she had been wrong. After making sure Beast Boy was fully preoccupied by his games console, she silently nodded. Understanding her friend's secretive behaviour at once she motioned for Raven to lay her head on her shoulder. Without saying a word Raven laid her head on Starfire's shoulder and, after several minutes, fell asleep.
They passed by many buildings on the way to the airport and the silence in the car was punctuated only by Raven's snores and Beast Boy asking, "Are we there yet?" every few minutes to which Robin or Cyborg would reply, "No!" with increasing exasperation.
Raven awoke with a start and looked around her. The big glass building that was the airport terminal towered over them. They got out their suitcases before locking the car and setting off for the terminal. The check-in lounge was crowded. Many tourists raced past, pulling large amounts of luggage while families of all shapes and sizes waited in queues along the check-in desks. Starfire leaned closer to Robin, looking wide-eyed. He put an arm around her shoulders and steered her towards one of the queues. The screen behind the desk read, 'Flight ERY791 to Heraklion, Crete. They had argued many times about the destination of their holiday. Beast Boy insisted on somewhere close to the sea and nature. Cyborg wanted to be somewhere near a big city while Robin and Starfire secretly hoped for somewhere a bit more romantic. Raven said she didn't care so long as there was good nightlife. They eventually decided on a small hotel complex between Hersonissos and Koutouloufari on the island of Crete.
Beast Boy stood in the queue, dressed in a bright blue shirt and shorts, tapping his foot and looking at his watch every few seconds in excited impatience. Raven wore a midnight blue T-shirt and a light blue skirt. A pair of sunglasses hung around her neck. Starfire wore a stunning purple and blue skirt and T-shirt. Robin wore a orange and yellow patterned top with brown shorts and Cyborg wore a blue T-shirt and shorts over his bionic body.
At last they reached the front of the queue where they showed the woman behind the desk their passports and checked on all of their luggage. Now considerably lighter, they walked through the doors which led to the departure lounge. Starfire's eyes darted from left to right, determined to take in as much as possible as they stood on the moving walkways.
When they made it to security Starfire was walking exceptionally close to Raven. "Why are there so many policemen about? Are we in some kind of danger?" asked Starfire.
Raven shook her head, "No, they just have to check everyone before they get on the plane. It's for security," she replied. Starfire went very quiet all of a sudden.
One by one they were called through the scanner. As Starfire went through she was directed to stand on one of the mats. One of the security guards started patting her down and she paled slightly. 'Surely this is forbidden,' she thought. She gulped. Then the security guard waved her on. She hurried over to where her friends were scarcely concealing their grins. "Surely that is forbidden?" she burst out as soon as they were out of earshot of the security guards. The boys only laughed harder. "It is not comical!" she said, storming away, close to tears. The boys went off to buy some snacks. Raven walked over to Starfire who stood apart from everyone else. As soon as the boys were out of earshot Starfire turned to Raven, her eyes shining with tears. Raven sighed. How could the boys forget how sensitive Starfire is about things like that? "Why is it comical?" she asked, her lip trembling. Raven then explained why the guard had searched her. Starfire looked more than a bit fearful at the thought of hidden weapons and explosives. 'Oh dear,' thought Raven, 'instead of making it better, I've made it worse.' "Don't worry," she said, "all the guards are really good at their jobs and plane accidents hardly ever happen. It's the safest way to travel."
Starfire smiled. "Thanks for explaining, friend Raven," she said.
A few minutes later Robin, Cyborg and Beast Boy returned with their arms full of hotdogs, burgers and popcorn. "Here," said Beast Boy, handing Raven a cup of herbal tea and a hotdog.
"Thanks," smiled Raven, taking the tea and the hotdog from Beast Boy. Robin handed Starfire a burger and a cup of coffee. Her previous thoughts forgotten Starfire followed him over to a table by the window where they could watch the planes taking off. "BOO YAAH!" said Cyborg, "They've got Turbo Racer 2," he said, indicating several arcade games behind him, "you're going down!"
"I'll catch up with ya," said Beast Boy. Raven looked up from her book with mild surprise. Beast Boy sat down next to her and she fortified her patience, ready for the onslaught of lame jokes. "You lookin' forward to the holiday?" Beast Boy asked, taking her completely off guard.
"What? Er…yeah," she faltered, unsure of what to say next.
"It's gonna be a blast!" replied Beast Boy, leaning back in the chair.
"Whatever you say," said Raven, returning to her book. They sat there for a while as a woman's voice sounded over the intercom, announcing the flights and their departure times.
Suddenly the intercom above them crackled into life, "Now boarding Flight ERY791 to Heraklion. Those with priority booking please make their way to Gate 19." Beast Boy started drumming his fingers nervously on the arm of the chair. This was his least favourite part of the journey. Flying with wings and feathers was one thing but flying in a huge metal machine was entirely different. His ears twitched nervously as he looked about him. "What's the matter?" asked Raven, closing her book and stowing it in her bag.
"Oh! N-nothing!" said Beast Boy, quickly putting on a carefree expression. Raven looked at him for a few seconds before turning away. Beast Boy sighed inwardly. 'Phew! She didn't notice!" he thought.
"Flight ERY791 to Heraklion is now boarding. Those with first class bookings please make their way to Gate 19. Beast Boy jumped a foot in the air. He covered this up by hastily by slinging his bag over his shoulder and, feigning a look of eagerness started to make his way to Gate 19. Cyborg grabbed his bag from under the seat of the arcade game and Robin and Starfire grabbed their bags from underneath the table. They lined up in front of Gate 19. The security woman checked their passports before waving them on. The cool air of Jump City whirled about them as they boarded the plane and the loud roar of the jet engines rang in their ears. They stowed their luggage in the overhead lockers before sitting down. Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire took one row while Cyborg and Robin got into the row behind. Beast Boy sat, clenching and unclenching his hands on his lap. Without thinking, Raven laid her hand on his and smiled. Taken aback, Beast Boy forgot his fears for the moment. He smiled back.
Starfire kept looking out the window to see how many more people were going to board the plane before looking all round the cabin, taking in everything from the blue reclining seats in front of her to the stewards and stewardesses welcoming passengers onto the plane. Her heart beat with nervous excitement. She had never flown by plane before. Robin and Cyborg had pulled out the magazines and were flicking through them, looking for the sports section. Starfire lifted up one of the paper sick bags, "What are these for?" she asked.
"It's just in case you don't feel well," explained Beast Boy.
"Oh!" said Starfire, returning the sick bag to the basket on the chair in front. Suddenly a male voice sounded over the intercom.
"Welcome aboard flight ERY791 to Heraklion. My name is Stan Bradshaw and today is a beautiful day for flying. In a few minutes the staff will read out and demonstrate the safety procedures. The weather in Heraklion is a balmy 34°C and the weather is mostly sunny with a few scattered thunderstorms further inland. There may be some turbulence as we go further to the East. Now, I will hand over to our head stewardess, Mariah Browne and she will now explain the emergency procedures." A female voice then sounded over the intercom, explaining about the emergency exits and demonstrating how to use the life jackets and oxygen masks.
The noise of the engines changed in tone as they taxied out onto the runway. Not caring who could see Beast Boy changed into a mouse and crawled under Raven's arm and there he sat, with his head poking out, his bead-like eyes round and fearful. Raven looked down in surprise as she felt his fur brush her arm. Absent-mindedly she put her hand on his back as the plane accelerated. He was shivering against her palm. Starfire who had been looking around was pushed back into her seat as the G-forces became stronger. She looked around to see how the other passengers were reacting to this obvious change. When she was satisfied that no one seemed to be taking the change under their notice, except Beast Boy who had now turned into a cat and was huddled against a very uncomfortable-looking Raven, his ears flattened back against his skull and his claws digging into the chair, she relaxed. There ascent grew steeper as the ground fell away sharply beneath them, Jump City, looking like a small model and the cars shrinking so that they looked like multi-coloured beetles scuttling along the road.
Slowly the plane started to even out. With a beep, the previously illuminated seatbelt sign went out and a voice said, "You are now free to move about the cabin." Beast Boy crawled back into his own seat and resumed his human form, flashing an apologetic grin at Raven who looked slightly weirded out. "How come you're afraid of flying?" she asked sceptically.
"It's a bit different being inside a machine to flying with wings and feathers. It feels out of control and weird," replied Beast Boy, his green skin turning pink slightly. Raven laughed a short laugh. Beast Boy laughed too, looking a little sheepish. To illustrate the point he turned into a sheep for a moment before turning back. Starfire had turned in her seat and was talking animatedly to Robin while Cyborg continued to rifle through the magazine. A plump woman came waddling down the aisle, pushing a trolley heavily laden with food and drink. "Anything off the trolley?" she asked.
"One fizzy orange and one herbal tea please," said Beast Boy, holding out the money to the woman. She took the money before handing him a mug of tea and a cup of fizzy orange. He passed the herbal tea to Raven and sat sipping the orange beverage. Raven said nothing, looking a little pale. "Something the matter, Raven?" asked Beast Boy. Raven shook her head and said nothing, turning slightly green. The cabin shook as the plane soared through the clouds. Raven dove forwards and seized the sick bag before throwing up into it. Beast Boy rubbed her back. "Second time you haven't felt well today," he said, continuing to rub her back. Raven looked up. He had noticed. She leaned back feeling completely exhausted and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. Beast Boy did not question her further, but motioned for her to lean against his shoulder. She leant her head in the crook of Beast Boy's neck. Beast Boy put an arm around her shoulders and held her to him. He kissed her lightly on her forehead, just above her chakra. She nestled closer to him, feeling pleasantly warm. Her breathing grew more rhythmical as she drifted into a light doze. Starfire gazed, enraptured, at the video screen where two lovers were kissing in the sunset on a tropical island. She smiled, her eyes filling up with tears. A tear slid silently down her cheek as she watched. She hastily wiped the tear away before looking over at her two best friends. She smiled. What an unlikely couple. She laughed to herself before turning back to the screen. Robin had pulled out his MP3 player and was nodding in rhythm to the tune while Cyborg lay back, snoring loudly.
The hours rolled slowly by. Raven opened one eye and yawned. How long had she been asleep for?
"Feeling better?" asked Beast Boy. She nodded before yawning again. Starfire was staring dreamily at the sea below them. "What is this ocean called?" she asked.
"The Atlantic ocean," replied Beast Boy, following her gaze.
"Wow!" said Starfire, curiosity written all over her face as she continued to stare at the waves which appeared to be motionless, suspended in time. Both Cyborg and Robin were snoring loudly now as the woman came with the lunch trolley. Beast Boy leaned over the chair and poked Robin and Cyborg awake before they all ordered their lunch. The clouds drifted by below them as the plane took them across the Atlantic Ocean.
Night approached and Raven watched as the sun sank out of sight. The stars twinkled above the plane and the world below them was dark. Not even the waves could be made out now. Starfire gave a contented sigh pulling the blankets tighter around her and rested her head on the pillow. Cyborg and Robin snored in the seat behind them and Beast Boy snored beside Raven, his ears twitching as he dreamed. Raven smiled. Ever since the day she had cared for Starfire when she was ill she had  realised the feelings she felt for the green shape shifter. His jokes brightened her even though she would not admit it and his carefree optimism kept her afloat even when life got her down. She leaned over and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. "Sweet dreams BB!" she murmured before laying her head on his chest and hugging him to her. She heard his heart beating steady and rhythmic in his chest and, soothed by the sound of his breathing, she was lulled into sleep.
The bright light woke Raven as it slanted in through the plane window. She opened her eyes, squinting against the light. She glanced at her watch. 8:15. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Beast Boy stirred beside her, giving a wide yawn, displaying his fangs. "Morning already?" he asked sleepily.
A few minutes later the others started to stir. Starfire continued to snore softly as the others sat up, rubbing their eyes. Suddenly, the pilot's voice sounded over the intercom, "Good morning, the time is seventeen minutes past eight and we are just about to start her descent into Heraklion," announced the pilot, waking Starfire with a jolt. "We there yet?" she asked sleepily.
"You bet!" replied Robin, leaning over the back of her chair as the plane veered off to the left to begin the descent.