This is my first Terra/Slade story. Usually I'm a Raven/Slade shipper, however, after reading some truly inspirational Terra/Slade stories, I decided I had to try one of my own. If you read my Raven/Slade story, Caged In, and are angry at me for writing a short Terra/Slade blurb before I updated Caged In (all in due time, I promise!), then deal with it. Cause I truly couldn't resist trying to interpret this pair's complicated relationship.

I'm not sure if I'm going to add more to this. I guess it all depends on the reviews I get (I really do love reviews, they let me know I'm doing a good or horrible job, and if I should continue. Soo… review!). If I do add more to this blurb, know that it will be a collection of one-shots and not a long-drawn out story.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Terra or Slade or the show Teen Titans. Cause if I did, Terra and Slade would've fucked in every episode they both starred in, Terra wouldn't have been turned into a useless lump of rock, and the Teen Titans show would be for adults. No, I would not like there to be graphic cartoon porn or anything, I would just like there to be mild cursing, non-graphic sex, and a bit more adult-like themes in each episode. Oh, and that truly horrible theme song would be changed.

Anywayys… enough with my babbling and on to the story! Err… one-shot.

It's totally normal. Completely normal. 100%. That's what Terra kept telling herself as she watched Slade demonstrate a series of new moves. She really did try hard to listen to what he was saying about the fighting techniques, but all she could think of was the way his strong, defined muscles moved when he threw a punch or powerful kick at the dummy. His skin was glistening with sweat and his one good eye was narrowed into a slit as he concentrated on the sequence.

Terra desperately wanted to touch him. Just reach out and grab a hold of him and never let go. It didn't make any sense to her, seeing as he was more than twice her age, had an uncanny ability to make her feel stupid and worthless at times, and wanted to control every little detail of her life. But she wasn't gonna stop and think about her conflicted feelings. She wasn't that good at thinking through difficult issues. Not that Terra couldn't think, it's just that she didn't really like to. She found that it made things more complicated when you had spent time pondering the issue for hours on end. Besides, she was more of a 'hands on type of girl'.

"Terra." She closed her eyes and imagined that Slade was saying her name. "Terra." She breathed in deeply and wished that her imagination could make Slade say her name a tad more romantically. "Terra!" Nope, he sounded more angry and impatient than before.

"For God's sake, Terra! Open your eyes and look at me!" Terra's eyes snapped open in surprise as she came face to face with her mentor. Shit! He actually had been calling her name. She shrank back as Slade leaned in close to her to hiss venomously, "Have you listened to a word I've said or watched what I've been trying to show you for the past half hour? As I'm sure you know by now, I don't tolerate laziness in an apprentice."

"Uhm, I was just…" Her words faltered as she realized she had no idea what to say. What was she supposed to do? Admit her growing attraction to the man and beg him to take her the way she'd been dreaming of for weeks, or simply tell him that she was being lazy and stupid? Terra knew how'd he react to the second option, but as for the first… She wasn't quite sure she was prepared to deal with that unknown outcome.

"Daydreaming? Wasting my precious time? Is that what you were going to say? Ten laps. Now. Perhaps that will bring you back to reality." Slade pushed her towards the track when she hadn't moved immediately, and when the girl had shook off whatever had been occupying her mind, she dashed off at a rather rapid pace.

He watched her for a time. While he had been quite irritated that she'd blown off his entire lesson to stand around and gaze off into the distance like an idiot, he had to admit that he was impressed with the amount of energy and effort put forth by the skinny little blonde as she ran. Yes, Terra could be extremely enthusiastic about training when she wanted to be. And when she needed 'a friendly little push' in the right direction, he was always ready with a threatening glare and harsh remark.

Although, he had recently started to notice how instead of avoiding his gaze in fear or having the occasional irrational outburst of rage accompanied by tears, Terra had begun to show him that she possessed a much more… agreeable disposition.

He'd felt her staring at him when she was supposed to be completing some task he'd given her, and observed how she moved to his side, almost instinctively. She didn't flinch anymore when he would move a hand to her shoulder, and the way she almost pushed closer to him as if wanting more, did not go unnoticed by the older man. Terra now engaged in conversation on a regular basis and it was quite clear to her mentor that she wanted to please him.

Hmm, Terra certainly had changed drastically in the past few weeks since she'd been with him. And it was a good sign. It meant that he could manipulate her more easily. Now that she had… feelings for him, she would be even more loyal and obedient than before. And though Slade would be sure to use this newfound weakness of hers to his advantage, he also promised himself that he wouldn't make the girl suffer in want and need. No, he was far too generous to allow that to happen. He would take care of her, just like he had been for weeks. Only this time, he'd get to enjoy himself too.

He smiled in anticipation of the near future as he watched the girl make for her tenth lap.