Rachel's Story

Part 2

He landed on the roof of Titans Tower a few minutes latter. Flashes of lightning brightened up the surrounding area in quick flashes. It all seemed so familiar, like he had never been gone. He morphed back into his human form and walked to the center of the roof.

He had never understood why they had decided to build a helipad there. If memory served him right it had only ever actually been used two or three times the whole time the Titans lived there. The T-ship had its own storage area and launch bay, so it never required it. Most of the time she would use it as a place to meditate and be alone.

He closed his eyes and he could almost see her sitting there in his mind. So peaceful and quiet. He would go up there and watch her every once in a while. He was always careful not to get spotted, staying in the stairwell peering out the cracked door. He was just so fascinated by the fact that she had such calm and control over herself. He had a hard time not making a complete fool out of himself in front of her.

He was always trying to make her laugh. Maybe then she would at least give him the time of day instead of her usual insults. When she wasn't completely ignoring him, that is.

He was shocked when she called out to him one day as he was watching her from the shadows. He was positive she couldn't see him where he was. 'Did she hear me?' he wondered. He had tried to be as quiet as he possibly could.

"You know Beast Boy, you can come over and join me if you want. I won't mind," she said, not turning around to speak towards the door.

"I guess you heard me huh?"he asked as he emerged from his hiding spot.

Raven remained where she was floating a few inches off the ground in her lotus position. Her eyes stayed shut as she talked. "Actually you were being pretty quiet,"she said in her trademark monotone voice. "I can always sense when you are around Beast Boy."

Beast Boy felt his heart drop. "So you know I have been spying on you the last few weeks then?"

"Yep," she answered in a calm voice. "Is that what you are doing? Spying on me?"

"No, not spying," he answered as he walked up and stood a few feet behind her. "You get away up here a lot. I was just wondering what was so special about it."

Raven stayed in her position as she continued to speak. "It's quiet. Out of the way. It's good to be alone sometimes."

"You come up here to be alone?" he asked as he leaned to one side so he could try and get a glimpse of her face. She had the hood on her blue cloak down on this day. The gentle breeze made her short violet hair dance around her neck and cheek.

"Yes."

He looked at her for a moment, taking in the sight. "Oh, well I'll see you downstairs later," he said as he turned to make his way back to the stairwell door.

"Where are you going?" she asked as she finally broke her posture and turned to look at him. "I thought I told you that you could sit down if you wanted."

"Oh, but you said you come up here to be alone. I just figured you were being polite by asking me," he answered nervously. "I'm gonna go ahead and go."

"Sit down Beast Boy!" she said sharply, nodding to the empty space of concrete next to her.

"Yes ma'am," he responded as he quickly did as he was told.

The few weeks that followed the two teens made a regular habit of finding their way up to the roof together. She would always meditate or read, while he would enjoy one of his comic books or play a hand-held video game device.

One night she placed her book aside and turned to him. "Beast Boy, I want you do try something with me," she spoke in a calm, and quiet voice.

"Okay, this sounds important," he said as he placed his video game down next to her book. "Whats up?"

"I would like you to meditate with me," Raven said softly.

"Umm, I dont know how. I can't."

"Yes you can. It's not hard. I will guide you."

"Okay, if you say so. What do I have to do?"

"Cross your legs into a lotus position." She could tell by the confused look on his face that he didn't know what she was talking about. "Sit the way I am siting," she instructed.

"Oh," he said as he adjusted himself to mimic her. "Umm, I can't hover like this. I would have to morph."

"Do not worry about that. It's not important. Just place your hands on your knees and close your eyes."

He did as he was instructed. "Okay now what," he asked excitedly.

"Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths in and release them slowly." Her voice was the same as always but somehow, this time it seemed more gentle, and soothing. "Find something to center on. Something that is a constant. Something that means something special to you. Forget about everything else, clear your mind."

He did his best to do as she said. He close his eyes and let go of all his thoughts. "Umm, am I doing it right?" His question was met with silence.

"Take another deep breath in through your nose and out through mouth, slowly. Let go of today, let go of the Tower, let go of anything holding you here. Make yourself free."

He felt a new feeling come over him. His mind started to wonder. He found himself thinking about people he hadn't in years. He found himself thinking about places he hadn't been in years. All in his mind at once yet not dwelling on any one of them.

"Let your mind flow like a river. Washing over any worries you have. Any problems of your daily life. The river of your mind is moving past them, around them, over them. Not ever being stopped or hindered by them. You are free of your problems and worries."

It was an amazing feeling. Unlike one he had ever felt before. His mind keep returning to thoughts of her. How truly perfect and awe inspireing this woman was.

"Realize that all at once you are a part of everything, but never bound to anything. You are part of the universe, and the universe is part of you." She continued to guide him through their meditation. He had never felt anything like it before.

The two sat on the roof for a couple of hours before they stopped their meditation. Beast Boy felt invigorated and renewed. "That was incredible," his voice was almost a whisper. "I see why you enjoy this so much. Can we do this again tomorrow night?"

A smirk spread across her face. "I knew you would enjoy that. Now is that mach better than your video games?"

"I was very enjoyable. But video games aren't all bad. They are fun too."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Thats why I like you Gar, you have such youthfulness. You enjoy the simple things in life."

"Hey, video games are not just for little kids. There are a lot of great ones out there. They are fun to play. They can take you away from this world. Let you forget your problems, even if is only for a short time," he said proudly.

"That's why I have my books and meditation. To escape. I guess I don't see there the way you and Cyborg do."

"Well not yet you don't. C'mon," he said as he walked over to the door, holding it open for her.

"where are we going?" she asked as she made her way inside.

"You opened my mind Raven, now I'm going to open yours."

A few moments latter she was sitting down in front of the T.V. while Beast Boy fumbled around with the Game Station. A few seconds latter he handed her one of the controllers as he sat down next to her.

"Where is yours?" she asked as she looked down at the plastic contraption in her hands.

"I'm not playing. You are," he smiled.

"But every time you play Cyborg and Robin have controllers too."

"Oh that's because we play what are called party games together. They are meant to be played with multiple people. No. This is a game you play by yourself."

"I don't want to do this. I suck at games," she said as she tried to hand the controller to him.

"Only one way to get better." he answered as he put his hands behind his head and streached out on the other side of the couch. "Oh its starting!"

"The Elder Scrolls Five?"

"Yeah Skyrim! Its one of my favorites," he was almost giddy with excitement.

She watched as the opening credits played and the game began. "Ok so what do I do now? And why am I a prisoner? What was my character arrested for? What's my name? This game doesn't explain anything."

"Just watch the game. Here in a second it will ask you to chose a race and gender."

She scrolled through the options for a moment tell she found the Khajiit race. "Oh a cat lady..."

"I knew it," he giggled out.

For the next few hours the teens sat there and played a variety of games. But Beast Boy could tell that Raven's favorite was by far the Skyrim game. He explained how game could allow you to be a wide variety people, in a wide variety of scenarios.

Every now and again he would steal a look at her while she was playing. She was beautiful. He couldn't imagine a more perfect night.

When the morning sun started to fill the common room the two teens decided to call it quits. They had been playing all night long.

"We should get to sleep," she said as she got up from the couch.

"Yea we have been at it for a while."

She stood quietly as he shut down the system and put away the controllers. He saw her hands had began to nervously play with the hem of her cloak. She was biting her lower lip looking down at the floor.

"You alright Rae?"

"You know, its a custom in most cultures for the man to accompany the woman to her door at the end of a date," she spoke meekly. Clearly uncomfortable with asking him.

"Umm, sure," he said trying to not show his excitement.

A few moments latter they were standing in front of her door. "I had a fun night Gar. The games were fun. Thank you for letting me play them."

"Thank you for showing me how to meditate. That was very interesting. I was wondering when you-"

His question was cut short as she pressed her lips to his. The kiss was wet and sloppy but eager. "Your my best friend Gar. I really enjoyed spending the evening with you. I didn't want it to end without that happening."

"I enjoyed tonight too. Umm you beat me to the kiss. I was going to be all romantic and stuff."

"That wasn't romantic enough?" An awkward grin appeared on her face as she looked down trying to hide it.

"It was. But I have this technique I like to use."

She quickly looked up at him with a slightly scared look on her face. "That wasn't your first kiss?"

"No...was it your first kiss?" He was in disbelief.

"...I need to go. I'll meet you on the roof tonight," she turned and quickly made her way into her room.

"Wait I want to know."

"Goodnight," she called back as her door slid closed behind her.

He now stood on that same roof so many years later, staring at that exact spot where it all began. A large smile spread across his face. He closed his eyes and savored the moment for a minute.

He moved over to the stairwell doorway and placed his left palm on the device next to the door. It lit up as it came to life.

"Recognized: Garfield Logan, Beast Boy. You are cleared to enter," the mechanical voice reported. There was a buzz and then a soft click. He reached up, pulled the door open and walked inside.

He made his way slowly down the stairs. The air was musty and stale but somehow familiar. Waves of memories flowed over him. A torrent of nostalgia invaded his very soul. Most of them were warm, fond memories. Some were horrible, painful memories.

"I knew this was coming. I knew I had to deal with this some time," he muttered to himself, as if trying to force himself forward.

He slowly opened the door and walked out into the hallway. It was just like they had left it so long ago.

He looked around him and saw Kori's room to his left. He walked up and pushed the door open. It was almost barren. The only things that remained were a few empty boxes scattered here and there.

'She must have already come by to pick up her stuff,' he reasoned.

Koriand'r, was the alien princes from the planet Tamaran. She had come to this planet to escape captivity when they had found her. She was scared and alone, and was ready to destroy all of them.

Robin was the first one to extend the olive branch and try and befriend her. That's probably why they had the relationship they did for all those years. She loved all of her friends dearly but when it came to Dick Grayson, she seemed to smile just a little brighter. Beast Boy was shocked when she told him that she and Dick had broken up.

He later found out that Roy Harper had swooped in and picked her up. He wasn't sure why she and Dick had broken up but he doubted Speedy really cared when he went for her.

She had always been so happy for him and Raven. She was always asking how they were and what sort of things they enjoyed together. He felt a little bad for Raven having to endure the constant questions. She would always be the first to come and try to comfort him after he and Raven had a fight. She even beat Cyborg most times.

When he finally told her what had happened between them she broke down and started crying right in front of him. Beast Boy, who had been doing a good job of holding himself together up until then, finally stopped fighting it and let the tears come.

"You were a good friend Star," he sighed as he turned to leave the room.

As he made his way further down the hall he walked passed Robin's room. Their fearless leader's quarters. Beast Boy couldn't help himself: he had to sneak in and have a look around one last time.

It wasn't quite as bad as Starfire's room but still looked cleared out. There were a few papers and books lying on his desk. His bed was still there but not the sheets oddly enough. The dresser and closets were already open but they were cleaned out.

They had all sort of gone on to their own things after the Titans disbanded. Dick and Kori didn't really go into too much detail with any of them why they actually broke up. Dick simply said, "We have our own lives to live now."

Two years ago was the first time he heard the news. Dick had come into town to say hi to him. It was a little sudden, even for the boy wonder.

There was a knock on his door one late afternoon. Garfield was surprised when he opened the door to find him standing there.

"Robin! Come in man," Garfield remarked excitedly.

"Dick!" he spat out in a hurry. "You know better than to use that name Gar."

"Sorry," Garfield answered quietly. He had momentarily forgotten the agreement they all had in place. Outside the tower they were Garfield, Dick, Victor, Kori and Rachel.

Dick moved inside and looked around his former teammate's small apartment. "I like the place. It's…cozy…I guess."

"Yeah, I know it's small but it meets my needs," he answered. "Can I get you a drink?" he asked, producing two soda cans from his fridge.

"No thanks," he said as he took a seat on the small sofa he had in his living room/kitchen.

"Oh yeah, I remember. Kori told me and Vic about how you cut out the unhealthy junk food stuff."

"Yeah…Kori," Dick said with a somber tone.

Immediately realizing his mistake he apologized. "I'm sorry Dick. I didn't mean to pour salt in a fresh wound."

"It's okay Gar," he sighed. "I'm over it."

"What exactly happened to y'all two?"

"That's not really a story I like to tell. If you want to know go ask her," he said as he looked up at Garfield returning from the kitchen. "You know BB let me have one of those Cokes. I need some caffeine."

"Sure thing," Garfield said as he quickly made his way back into the kitchen, returning a few seconds later with another can.

"Thanks," he said simply as he took the drink from his hand. "Did you just say 'y'all?'"

"Yeah," Garfield chuckled. "I've been trying out the local dialect."

"Oh yeah? How's that working out for ya?"

"It's fun!" Garfield laughed.

The boys continued to talk and catch up on what had happened in the months since the team disbanded. Victor had gone back to work at S.T.A.R. labs, Kori and Roy were doing the whole hero thing with Jason Todd. And Dick had moved to Bludheaven.

"So do you still go out on the town?" Dick asked. The true meaning to his words was understood.

"Sometimes, if the city really needs me. But Amarillo is kind of a quiet town. The local law enforcement does their job well," Garfield answered.

After exhausting all other safe topics of conversation Dick finally had to ask. "So have you talked to Rachel recently?"

The shaggy blond headed teen looked over at his friend. "No. The last thing she said to me wasn't very pleasant. I am pretty sure she either completely hates me or has completely forgotten about me," he said as he tried his best to force a smile for his friend's benefit.

"She doesn't hate you BB," Dick said confidently.

"You weren't there Robin. I mean Dick! Sorry," Garfield was worried that his former boss would be upset by this. To his surprise Dick didn't seem to mind.

"It's okay Beast Boy," Dick said with a grin. "I know she doesn't hate you. Regardless of how horrible you might think that fight was."

"She didn't even say bye! We were on the phone all she was doing was yelling at me. Then it was 'Fuck you Gar,' click." He had gone from sitting down and having a clam conversation with a longtime friend to pacing around his own apartment, angrily ranting in front of him. "You weren't there Robin, you don't know."

Robin stood up and adopted a slightly defensive stance. He didn't think that Beast Boy would try anything but his training was taking over. "Calm down Gar! You think you're the only guy in this room who has had his heart broken?" Beast Boy stopped at this comment. "Starfire took a large part of my soul with her when she left. It hurts like hell. You wake up each day only half a man. I know. Trust me I know. But you can't dwell, you can't have your whole life stop because of her!"

"You don't think I've tried Robin!?" He yelled at him. It was the only thing he could do to keep from crying. "It's been almost a year since we last talked. It hasn't stopped hurting since. How long does it take?!"

"Almost a year?" Robin asked with worried in his voice. "Beast Boy... have you not heard?"

"Heard what?" he asked as a great deal of fear came over him.

"Beast Boy…Raven is engaged."