AN: Oh my goodness! Hello to all you. I wanted to thank every person who read or reveiwed this story as well as though who added me to a favorite or alerts list. I honestly expected no one to read this story only to fnd almost 150 people have read it after only two days!

I do have the first 4 chapters completely written and am working on chapter five so I'll try to post quickly. However i am in the midst of exams and don't know how much time I'll have. I will NOT abandon this story however. Ever.

Got a question? Have I messed up terribly? let me know! Review or send me a message!
On with the chapter now!
Carson

Chapter 2

In Your Own Head

Raven had gone straight to her room after talking with Robin and she planned on staying there for a while. Regardless of how she had acted when the idea of talking to him was proposed they were right. She was closest to Beast Boy and vice versa. Her and Robin shared a connection, and he would always be and older brother/father figure to her but this was different.

She had always known there was more to Beast Boy than that happy guy face he put on for everyone. Just not the extent of it. They shared something the rest of team didn't now matter how messed up they were collectively.

All of them had lost some, if not all, of their family. Beast Boy and Raven were the only one's to spend large amounts of time without someone there for them though. She knew through accidental glimpse how long Beast Boy had spent as an animal scavenging for anything to eat. She obviously hadn't had copious amounts of contact with other people as a child.

Right now she was upset and her emotions were on the rampage; all of them clamoring for her attention at once, and the result was none of them being heard. She couldn't calm them down from here. She'd have to make the trip to Nevermore.

Sitting herself carefully in the middle of her bed she placed the mirror which served as her portal in front of her. Taking a deep breath she started to chant: "Azarath Metrion Zinthos Azarath Metrion Zinthos Azarath Met-" Suddenly Raven was looking at the nevermore sky as Happy threw herself onto Raven effectively knocking her over.

"I'm sorry Raven!" Happy apologized in her bubbly voice. "It's just so good to see you! You should visit more often! We could hang out and tell stories! Ooh that'd be so much fun!"

"Happy," Raven said as she carefully disentangled herself from the emotion. "It's nice to see you too. Is Wisdom or Knowledge around?" She asked glancing at her surroundings. What was Happy doing in Wisdom's realm? "I needed to talk to them about what's been going on in here lately."

"We're right here Raven." Came Knowledge's voice. Walking behind her was Wisdom who seemed to be smiling knowingly. "I see you finally came. I'll admit I was wondering how long it would take for you to visit us.

"We'll talk, but first we need the others." Turning away from Raven to face the vast planes of Nevermore which led to other sections she spoke. "Sisters, we will meet soon. Come now and join us in Wisdom's realm." Her eyes glowed the same yellow color of her cloak. Raven knew that while Knowledge didn't raise her voice it still echoed through out Nevermore reaching into the other realms.

"Do we really need everyone? All I really want to know is why you're all so out of control. Can't you or Wisdom explain that to me?" Small balls of colored energy were appearing as her emotions gathered.

"No Raven. For something as big as this we need everyone to be present. We're only awaiting two more anyway," Looking around Raven tried to see who was missing. Rude, of course, would be late but who else?

"Wait a minute. You're letting Rage out are you? Are you crazy?" Wisdom and Knowledge just looked at her. "Right." She said tonelessly "Sorry."

"Rage" Wisdom began gently knowing Raven needed guidance and not a lecture from Wisdom. "is one of your emotions. You have to learn to accept her as part of yourself. Learn that it's okay to feel her power as long as it doesn't control you."

Raven nodded taking in Wisdom's appearance. She, obviously, had Raven's hair, face, and body but she was different. Wisdom's cloak was a soft, dark maroon and worn looking. Her face was looked young, but the same type of young you associate with children who are already weary of the world around them. It was strong as well, as if anything she had lived through only added to her strength, never taken away from it.

While Knowledge could recite all the facts of Raven's life and teach her things Wisdom dealt with the brunt of Raven's emotional age. All the messy parts of Raven's life over the past 17 years were absorbed by Wisdom. The emotion had spent many days in Knowledge's library learning from memories when Knowledge couldn't. It wearied her, but she was one of Raven's most trusted emotions.

While Raven had been studying Wisdom, Rude had arrived in an orange ball of energy. Shoving her way to the front of the crowd she elbowed Happy in the stomach and stood making faces at everyone else.

In her peripheral vision Raven saw another emotion appearing and braced herself. Taking a deep breath she turned to her right feeling Wisdom's hand rest on her shoulder.

"Why the hell am I here? I was fucking BUSY. You're such a bitch Knowledge. Mother fuc- oh!" Her face, which had been contorted with fury, now held a sickening grin. "look who's here. Bitch." She spat. On her left Raven saw Brave in her green cloak step in front of Guilt who was already cowering. Rage loved to attack Guilt and always reduced the emotion to an even grater level of self-hatred and tears. "Finally came to check up on us huh?" Rage would have continued if Knowledge hadn't cut in.

"Rage" she said marking a spot in her book. "Behave. You know you're only here because you have to be. Other wise you'd still be confined to your own realm."

"Now Sisters." Wisdom said calmly stepping into the center of the circle. "You all know why we are meeting here today, Raven however does not. Would anyone care to explain?" Knowledge's hand shot in the air and at Wisdom's nod she spoke.

"Sisters, we all know Beast Boy's words have always cut us deeper" Here Sorrow nodded pulling out a handkerchief. "or made us happier" Happy bounced on the balls of her feet smiling and giggling like a four-year-old. "than the other Titans. Today we must examine why.

"Beast Boy simply put is our favorite." Raven stared at Knowledge dumbfounded. "He's Rage's favorite to complain about, Happy positively bounces when he's around, even Guilt feels slightly better when he's around." Guilt wearing a cloak that reminded Raven of a forest floor nodded looking, well, guilty. "And Hope," Hope was not present but this was nothing unusual. raven rarely saw even a glimpse of Hope. "well he makes Hope so happy another emotion has joined us today." Raven had been focused completely on Knowledge, now she looked around surprised.

'Who was missing earlier?' Raven started a checklist in her head. 'Happy, Guilt, Rage, Knowledge, Wisdom, Timid, Bravery, Sarcasm, Sorrow, Affection, Rude, Stubborn, Apathy. Isn't that everyone? ' "No." She hadn't meant to say the word aloud but it escaped her lips. While her emotions turned to stare at her she searched for the new one. Finally, nestled between Brave and Timid, she spotted her. Love.

Raven went into a panic and the shock of it gave Timid a panic attack of her own. As Brave and Affection calmed her Love approached Raven. Her cloak was definitely purple like Affections, but lighter, and Raven could swear other colors kept swirling through the cloak as if all of her emotions were part of this new one. Love never looked away from Raven. She walked slowly as if being careful not to spook her. Only when they were face-to-face did she speak.

"Hello Raven." Love's voice was soft and strong at the same time, as well as absolutely beautiful. Even though she was the youngest of Raven's emotions Raven could tell she and Wisdom would get on wonderfully.

But Raven couldn't let he stay. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous. You're dangerous. I could destroy everyone I care about if you stay. I'm sorry" And Raven did sound and look truly sorry, "but you need to go. Wanting you to stay doesn't make it any safer for you to be here."

"I'm not leaving Raven." Love said calmly, as though this was the reaction she had been expecting. "I belong here and we both know it. He cares about us, though you've given him precious little time to show it. It's not as if his feelings are exactly one sided either.

You've been through so much Raven, but so has he. You know parts of his past, enough certainly to know that there's more then meets the eye. You need love in your life Raven. And not just the love your team gives you, but the love that you share with one person forever. You need someone to soften you up and help you relax. Someone who could use a little help themself. You need Beast Boy."

"I could hurt him. Seriously harm him too, mentally and . . ." Her voice dropped off and she stared at the ground. In a barely audible whisper she finished the sentence. "physically." Raven looked up again at Love her eyes full of pain and determination, as if whatever she had to day was unpleasant but need to be said. "Beast Boy doesn't love me. He doesn't even think I'm attractive. Beast Boy" Tears started to cascade down her face and she reached automatically for her hood before realizing Sorrow and Guilt would give her away. Sure enough she soon saw the two emotions being comforted by Affection and Brave. "Beast Boy" She said again, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "loves Terra. Beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed Terra. I'm only his friend."

Love didn't even seem to be listening. She was smiling and shaking her head as though Raven was a very small very willful child. "If I'm so dangerous, so destructive, why haven't you destroyed anything yet? In the past few months, ever since Beast Boy jumped in front of that bullet for you, your powers have been growing stronger no?" Raven nodded.

She still had nightmares about that day; it still brought quivers of anxiety to her stomach.

"Okay guys, simple robbery." Robin said. "We'll all go to be safe but I'm expecting them top give up once we get there." And he'd been right – for the most part. Two of the three criminals gave up as soon as they saw the Titans approaching. One of them however was determined to fight it out. They later learned he was a drug addict hours away from starting withdrawal, he needed something and he needed it now.

No one knew he had a gun. Raven had started chanting hoping to disarm him quickly and avoid a fight. Taking advantage of the concentration she needed to use her magic he aimed the gun at her stomach. Raven only realized what was happening after he'd shot the gun, far too late to change anything. As the bullet sped towards her she had the impression of green as Beast Boy hurtled into her, effectively saving her from a bullet. But now Beast Boy was clutching at his side, and there was blood, so much blood. The last thing she heard was a buzzing before her world went black.

Raven's powers poured out of her hands, eyes, and mouth. The Titans were never really sure what happened but when the blinding lights of Raven's powers had died down the gun was a pile of ash and the criminal was unconscious. He stayed that way for three months.

Raven had awoken a few hours later. "Where's Beast Boy?" She said shooting up too fast, making herself dizzy. Upon realizing she was in the infirmary she started looking for Beast Boy. She spotted him in the bed next to hers apparently sleeping. "Beast Boy." Struggling, her body was tired after her magic using it, she got out of bed. Standing on wobbly legs she started towards his bed just as her teammates walked in.

"Friend Raven!" Cried Starfire. "You are awake! Oh how wonderful!" As she babbled on Cyborg smiled to her before checking the machines Beast Boy was hooked up too. Robin came up behind Starfire placing a gentle hand on the Tameranian's shoulder effectively silencing her.

"Raven." She felt her mind connection with Robin brush ever closer and relished the feeling of being close to someone, even mentally. "How are you feeling? Cyborg thought you were just drained but he couldn't tell for sure. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She was sitting on the bed again not wanting anyone to notice her shaking legs. "How's Beast Boy? Is - is he okay?" She felt sick almost and looked at Cyborg steeling herself.

Cyborg however was smiling. "Relax Rae, the little grass stain'll be fine." Relief washed through her as all her emotions, even Rage, cheered. "He got lucky, the bullet shot off his hip bone and logged in his appendix. That stopped it from hitting the kidneys or anything else. He should be waking up soon. You can go back to your room tonight as long as everything's looking good. He'll be fine Rae I promise."

Raven nodded gratefully and laid back onto her bed which Robin had propped into a sitting position. With a muttered thanks she surveyed the team that surrounded her. Cyborg, it seemed, wanted to say something. He kept glancing at her and then Robin and Starfire, as if he didn't want this to be a group discussion. Robin seemed to have noticed and ushered Starfire into the kitchen with him to help prepare dinner.

"What's going on Cyborg?" She asked probing his thoughts enough to get the general idea of what was worrying him. "Beast Boy?" Her eyes went wide. "Cyborg what is it?"

"Rae, I didn't want to say anything in front of the others but, when I was stitching him up, I saw something." He paused as though thinking she would say something. When silence greeted him he continued. "He's got . . . scars I guess. All around his hips. You are the closest to him so I wasn't sure if you'd know what they were from."

" I'm sorry but I don't. I will keep an eye out on him though okay?" He nodded looking relieved. "Why don't you go recharge? I'll watch him and call your room if there's any problems. Okay?"

"Yeah, I guess. I am pretty beat. Call me the second you even think there may be a problem though all right? Even if you aren't sure, call me."

"I will." As Cyborg left the infirmary Raven turned to Beast Boy's bed. Pulling a book out of her cloak she began to read.

Two hours later Raven, now half way through her book, heard a noise. Looking up she saw Beast Boy was twitching. He looked like a dog who was dreaming. His dreams however seemed to have taken a turn for the worse. Gently reaching out to wake him she was amazed when he jumped at her touch.

"Don't touch me!" He screamed looking around wildly. His eyes widened in shock and pain as he grabbed his side. "What – what happened?" Raven could almost see the memories flooding into his eye and she certainly felt them flood into his mind.

He was having nightmares. Nightmares he hadn't had since joining the Titans. Someone was touching him and he was screaming. And then, with no warning, there was a burning pain in his side. "What – what happened?"

But even as the words left his mouth he started to remember. The fight, the gun, and Raven. "Raven." Beast Boy spoke without thinking and saw amethyst eyes grow momentarily before returning to their normal size.

"Are you okay Raven? What happened? All I can really remember is the fight and there was a shot, then my side hurt and I woke up here. Why does my side hurt?"

"Beast Boy." He noticed how sad she looked and started wondering what was under the bandages he could feel wrapped around his stomach resting just above his hips "You pushed me out of that guns way, remember? He – he shot you instead. You took the bullet for me." Seeing Beast Boy grimace and feeling the worries he had about (or that she assumed were about) his injuries she hurried on. "But Cyborg said it hit your appendix and nothing else. You lost the appendix but you'll be up and about in 10 days. Soon as the stitches come out."

Relief flooded him. Beast Boy knew Raven would be probing his thoughts and he let her believe his relief was solely about getting back to training. He was actually relieved that Raven was okay and he'd heal soon enough.

"Beast Boy." He looked up at her smiling slightly. "I just – I wanted to say – I mean –thank you. For knocking me out of the way like that." Was Raven blushing? Could Raven blush?

"Raven you don't have to say anything. You would have done the same thing if you'd been in my place. Right?" he said it with such an easy smile and goofy voice Raven couldn't help but smile back.

Raven wouldn't forget that day in a hurry. "Since that day," Love went on. "I have been here. Only recently however have I felt it safe to appear to you."

"Why haven't I felt you or heard you?" Raven asked shakily. "You're one of my emotions, there should have been clues you were here." Her voice made it clear she was trying to convince herself more than anything else.

"Because you wouldn't let me." Love responded simply. "I wasn't allowed to speak as other emotions are. The reason I haven't spoken to you before now was because neither of us was strong enough for it. You weren't strong enough to hear me. And I wasn't strong enough to make you listen. Now though your worry for Beast Boy seems to have helped you listen to and, hopefully, accept me.

"You'll understand better as time goes on Raven. At the moment however you should probably get out of your head and into your body. Beast Boy has been knocking on your door for a good 3 minutes and he doesn't seem ready to give up."

"What!" Muttering to herself about conniving emotion she hurriedly bid all of her emotions good-bye which included another hug from Happy, before slipping back into her body. "We're going to talk later Love." Love just nodded and smiled.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Looking around somewhat wildly Raven got to her feet and walked over to the door. Opening the door and looking down she saw a small green kitten staring at her piteously.